17th Annual Doheny Blues Festival

Get ready for a weekend of blues, roots, and rock music at the 17th Annual Doheny Blues Festival on May 17 & 18, 2014. Enjoy 20+ performances on three different stages, tasty microbrews, local vendors and delicious food. Headlining the 2014 festival are Gregg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, Gov’t Mule, Buddy Guy, and Vintage Trouble. Also joining the line-up are Keb’ Mo’, James Cotton & Friends, Ruthie Foster, Charles Bradley & The Extraordinaires, The Mannish Boys Revue, and John Németh & The Bo-Keys. Grab your friends and family and head down to Dana Point’s Doheny State Beach for the Doheny Blues Festival on May 17 & 18, 2014 www.dohenybluesfestival.com

Festival Season On The West Coast

The Line Up Keeps Growing! We're thrilled to announce more artists for the 17th Annual Doheny Blues Festival! Don't miss a weekend of Blues on the Beach, May 17 & 18 at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, California! Joining the line up are... BUDDY GUY: Legendary guitarist, Buddy Guy, is a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, a major influence on rock titans like Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, a pioneer of Chicago's fabled West Side sound, and a living link to that city's halcyon days of electric blues. He has received 6 Grammy Awards, 28 Blues Music Awards (the most any artist has received), the Billboard magazine Century Award for distinguished artistic achievement, and the Presidential National Medal of Arts. Rolling Stone ranked him in the top 25 of its "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time." ROSIE FLORES: (Performing with James Intveld) The Rockabilly Filly, Rosie Flores, took flight in SoCal and has been a major figure in the Los Angeles, Austin and Nashville music scenes. She blends rockabilly, honky tonk, jazz, and Western swing along with traditional influences from her Tex-Mex heritage. Rosie's solo recordings have found homes on both the Billboard and Gavin charts and are featured in seven motion pictures. JAMES INTVELD: (Performing with Rosie Flores) A native of Los Angeles, James Intveld is a multi-instrumentalist singer, songwriter and actor.  He's in high demand for his skills as a player; as adept at the slap bass, slide, steel, and drums as on guitar. Continuously cast in movies, TV and videos, James was the singing voice of Johnny Depp's character in the John Waters film Cry Baby. Intveld plays his own brand of rockabilly and his live performances will have you rockin' out at the beach! THE MANNISH BOYS REVUE: Few blues acts have perfected the tricky maneuver of honoring the storied history of the Blues, while at the same time keeping the music up-to-date, as well as The Mannish Boys.  It's a balancing act that they've honed over the course of six highly-acclaimed CD releases and countless nights gigging on concert stages around the world. Conceived as an all-star showcase for the cream of the west coast blues crop, The Mannish Boys have stayed true to that vision. KID RAMOS: (Performing with The Mannish Boys) If David "Kid" Ramos had gone into the family business with his mother and step-father, he might be a professional opera singer today; to the eternal thanks of blues fans around the world, Kid Ramos decided to march to a different drummer. From his time with The Fabulous Thunderbirds to his solo career, Ramos has become one of the most exciting, powerful blues guitarists in the business. Kid Ramos will be honored this Saturday at the Orange County Music Awards - click here for more details. SUGARAY RAYFORD: (Performing with The Mannish Boys) Texas born Caron "Sugaray" Rayford began his musical career at the age of 7 singing & playing drums in church, and his gospel influence can be heard and felt in his music. In 2011, Sugaray became one of the lead vocalists for the Mannish Boys and sang lead vocals on Double Dynamite, the Mannish Boys CD that won Best Traditional Blues Album in May 2013 at the Blues Music Awards. When Sugaray belts out a song, you not only hear it, you feel it. The excitement is palpable when he takes the stage; he is a superb vocalist and entertainer. 17th ANNUAL DOHENY BLUES FESTIVAL MAY 17 & 18, 2014 ✦ DOHENY STATE BEACH  GREGG ALLMAN  ✦  BUDDY GUY  ✦  THE DOOBIE BROTHERS GOV'T MULE  ✦  KEB' MO'  ✦  JAMES COTTON & FRIENDS  ✦  VINTAGE TROUBLE CHARLES BRADLEY & THE EXTRAORDINAIRES  ✦  RUTHIE FOSTER JOHN NEMETH & THE BO-KEYS  ✦  ROSIE FLORES & JAMES INTVELD THE MANNISH BOYS REVUE ft. KID RAMOS & SUGARAY RAYFORD SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING  ✦  NIKKI HILL ... and more artists to be announced! Doheny Blues Facebook Page ✦ Doheny Blues Website  Kid Ramos Receives Lifetime Achievement Award! Please come out on Saturday and support Kid Ramos as he accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Orange County Music Awards! If you're in town, grab a ticket to the awards show & support a local blues hero!   Orange County Music Awards  Weekend Passes Are Going Fast! ADVANCE WEEKEND PASS PRICING & PERKS     PURCHASE WEEKEND PASSES BY WEB: Purchase tickets online through our secure ticketing site. BY PHONE: Call (949) 360-7800 to place your order by phone Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please note: If you purchase a Weekend Pass, your EventBand must be worn for the duration of the festival. The EventBand is non-transferable (you cannot give it to someone else), non-exchangeable and cannot be removed. SHIPPING PrintPass: $1 Mail Option: $12 per order REMINDER: Select the Mail Option to have your EventBand(s) shipped in advance! Your EventBand(s) will be mailed in advance with a UPS tracking number. No more waiting in exchange lines! Your EventBand(s) will ship directly to your doorstep.  PRELOAD food and beverage value on to your order. EventBands will be shipped in early May 2014. PLEASE NOTE: 1. All sales are final; there are no refunds. 2. All prices listed are "per person"; service and shipping fees apply. 3. Tickets/EventBands are non-transferable and non-exchangeable. 4. We are not responsible for lost or stolen Tickets/EventBands, including those delivered by mail or purchased at a ticket outlet. 5. Weekend Passes are NOT available at the gate. 6. Weekend Passes/2-Day EventBands are only good for one person for the entire weekend. 7. Weekend Pass Holders must wear their EventBand for the duration of the festival. 8. All customers purchasing a ticket to the Doheny Blues Festival agree to the festival guidelines and ticket policies. 9. If single day tickets are available for purchase at the gate, they will be $10 more while supplies last. 10. Artists and times are subject to change without notice; the festival is rain or shine. 11. Ticket policies, festival guidelines and important information is available on the Doheny Blues website.

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.

Pre-Order New Releases at a 15% Discount

	BE AMONG THE FIRST & GET YOUR CDS AT A DISCOUNT WHILE SUPPLIES LAST! SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK & BNOIS KING "ROAD DOG'S LIFE" Retail: $17.99 Our Price: $12.99 PRE-SALE: $11.04 (15% off) RELEASE DATE: 09/17/13 "King's vocals are like aged whiskey, smooth and mellow, with a warm glow that spreads throughout your body when you partake." – Blues Revue Magazine "…the intricate interplay between their differing guitar styles is truly impressive…" – Living Blues Magazine "Kubek and King bring a full course meal to the dinner table. With this dynamic duo from Dallas you get great songwriting, two distinctive approaches to the guitar and a singer in Bnois King with a voice and vocal style that delivers the message like very few in the modern blues world." – Blues Junction MUSICIANS Smokin' Joe Kubek: guitar [right], lap steel (10) Bnois King: vocals, guitar [left] Kid Andersen: guitar [center] (6) Randy Chortkoff: harmonica (3, 11), vocals (3) Kim Wilson: harmonica (3, 5, 9), vocals (3, 9) Willie J. Campbell: electric bass (all tracks except 8 & 11) Patrick Recob: electric bass (8, 11) Jimi Bott: drums Produced by Randy Chortkoff Engineered and mixed by David Z. Since first pairing up back in 1989 for a weekly Monday night gig at a neighborhood pub in Dallas, Texas, Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King have become an inseparable musical force. Indeed, the scientific notion that opposites attract has found no better basis in fact than the shining examples of King's understated, jazz-inflected guitar, in stark contrast to Kubek's incendiary, fret-burnin' sorcery. For over twenty-years this fearsome twosome has been sweeping through towns and plundering festival and nightclub stages across the globe with the notorious ferocity of a deadly Texas twister. In as much time this enduring partnership has also produced thirteen critically-acclaimed recordings before embarking on their latest chapter with the Los Angeles-based blues label, Delta Groove Music. In 2012, Kubek and King signed on with Delta Groove to record what was to become the pair's fourteenth album. Close to the Bone marked a bold shift in direction for these two as they proceeded to forgo the comfort and luxury of electricity and literally unplug their instruments for the duration of the recording session. The results were astonishing and a welcome change of pace, allowing listeners a deeper glimpse into the inner workings of their musical bond and chemistry. Of course they didn't have to go it totally alone, as they were assisted with a little help from some new and old friends including fellow label mates Big Pete, Lynwood Slim, Bob Corritore, Randy Chortkoff, Shawn Pittman, Kirk Fletcher, Fred Kaplan, Willie J. Campbell and Jimi Bott, as well as former Red Devils' guitarist, Paul Size. The album was greeted with reverential praise and even placed #14 on Guitar World's Top 15 Blues and Roots Rock Albums of 2012! Now, following on the heels of the Texas duo's daring unplugged release, Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King return to form with a stripped-down set of tough, electrified roadhouse blues. Road Dog's Life features an arsenal of mostly new and original material, emphasizing King's own wry, insightful lyrics, along with Kubek's searingly incisive, signature guitar, with the exception of only two covers - the Rolling Stones' Play with Fire and the Beatles' Don't Bother Me. Special guests this time out includes the Fabulous Thunderbirds' frontman Kim Wilson, Nightcats' guitarist Kid Andersen, Delta Groove label head Randy Chortkoff, Kansas City bassist Patrick Recob, along with the Mannish Boys' rhythm section, consisting of bassist Willie J. Campbell and drummer Jimi Bott. For Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King the journey to this point has certainly been a long road to travel, but in the words of these hardened road dogs, "we wouldn't have it any other way."   SUGARAY RAYFORD SUGARAY RAYFORD "DANGEROUS" Retail: $17.99 Our Price: $12.99 PRE-SALE: $11.04 (15% off) RELEASE DATE: 09/17/13 "Sugaray Rayford is a revelation as he powerfully moans the blues…" – Blues in Britain Magazine "Not many singers can take us from the delta to the modern chitlin' circuit as easily as he does. A big man with a big voice and plenty of personality…" – Jazz & Blues Report "Whether it's rompin' Chicago blues, Memphis Stax-powered soul, scorching Texas blues or New Orleans-tinged jazz, Sugaray fields whatever's his way with confident versatility." – Colorado Blues Society MUSICIANS Sugaray Rayford: vocals Sugar Ray Norcia: harmonica (1, 3), vocals (4) Kim Wilson: harmonica (8, 11) Big Pete: harmonica (13) Randy Chortkoff: harmonica (6, 10, 12) Kid Andersen: lead guitar (7, 9, 10), rhythm guitar (12) Franck Goldwasser: lead guitar (5, 6, 11, 13), slide guitar (8, 14), National Steel guitar (12), rhythm guitar (2, 9, 10) Gino Matteo: lead guitar (2) Monster Mike Welch: lead guitar (4), tremolo guitar (6), rhythm guitar (1, 3, 8) Anthony Geraci : piano (1, 3, 4, 6, 8, 11) Fred Kaplan: piano (5, 7, 10), organ (2, 13) AND MORE! Produced by Randy Chortkoff and Jeff Scott Fleenor Engineered and mixed by David Z. Texas-born Sugaray Rayford may be a new name to blues and music fans outside of his current Southern California base, but he's got the blues as deep and wide as his commanding, gospel-drenched voice. Starting out, as so many great singers do, performing in the church as a child, he packs a lifetime of hard-won experience and soul into every performance. As he says, "I grew up in gospel and soul." And with every inch of his imposing 6 foot 5 frame, he puts his music across in a physical way that leaves you no choice but to believe every word. After performing in bands that leaned more towards modern sounds for a few years, Sugaray found himself drawn more towards the power of the blues, and led San Diego band Aunt Kizzy'z Boyz to a second place finish at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis in 2006. This turned into a big win for Sugaray though, as it brought him to the attention of Delta Groove Productions head Randy Chortkoff. A few years later when Delta Groove's Mannish Boys were in need of a featured front man to add to the rotating cast of talent, Sugaray was brought in for a few shows. The chemistry was solid and immediate - his powerful and dynamic performances pushed the band to new heights, and the bond was sealed. His work as a featured vocalist under the Mannish Boys umbrella, both live and on their "Double Dynamite" release, made it abundantly clear that he was not only deserving of his own Delta Groove release, but that it was inevitable. So the wheels were put in motion to surround him with the best and most musically compatible blues talent available. "Dangerous" represents a cross section of classic and contemporary, originals and seldom-heard covers, all representing the truth at the core of Sugaray's blues soul. From the Son House classic "Preaching Blues" and post-war gems from Junior Parker, Gatemouth Brown and Pee Wee Crayton, to well-honed originals like Sugaray's own "Stuck for a Buck", "Need a Little More Time" and "I Might Do Somethin' Crazy", it's all killer, no filler. Supporting Sugaray is an all-star cast that includes Franck Goldwasser, Willie J. Campbell, Randy Chortkoff and Jimi Bott from the Mannish Boys, plus special guests Kim Wilson, Monster Mike Welch, Big Pete, Kid Andersen, bass man Bill Stuve, veteran pianists Anthony Geraci and Fred Kaplan, and the only other Sugar Ray available (outside of the boxing ring, anyway), powerhouse vocalist and harp master Sugar Ray Norcia. Of special note is the duet Norcia wrote especially for the occasion, appropriately enough, "Two Times Sugar". So although Sugaray Rayford may be a new name to some, he's definitely no overnight sensation, or this season's 'next big thing' - he's here to stay, right where he belongs. WWW.DELTAGROOVEMUSIC.COM