Moondogg Records artist: Johnny Ray Jones - Feet Back In The Door - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Feet Back In The Door, by Johnny Ray Jones and it's quite good. Opening with title track, Feet Back In The Door, Johnny Ray Jones show strong soul roots with a great rhythm and horn section. His vocals are strong, joined by Mike Finnigan on piano, Hutch Hutchinson on bass, and Tony Braunagel on drums and topped off with Joe Sublett on sax, Darrell Leonard on trumpet and Teresa James on backing vocals. Very nice. I really like the bass work on Come Up And See Me Sometime which really carries Finnigan's organ line and sets a cool stage for Jones to strut. Jones' vocals on High Cost Of Loving and Johnny Lee Schell throws down some stinging blues guitar riffs making this one of my favorites on  the release. Z.Z. Hill's, I'm A Blues Man has a great balance of heavy bass, big brass, snappy drums and warm vocals giving Jones and Schell a wide open slate to sing and play. Very nice. Allen Toussaint's A Certain Girl is always a great track with New Orleans flair, and a real nice sax solo by Sublett. The playful vocal interplay is super. Original track, In The Heart Of The City has a real nice melody and Schell's melodic guitar solo further enhances the radio drive on this track. Wrapping the release is Leon Russell's Hearts Have Turned To Stone. Using classic Leon riffs throughout but with his own signature, Jones closes nicely with smart piano flair from Finnigan, nice vocal highlights by James and tight brass punctuation by Leonard.

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811 Gold Records artist: Laura Tate - Let's Just Be Real - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Let's Just Be Real, from Laura Tate and it's a light jazzy smooth. Opening with Steve Bruton's Nobody Get's Hurt, vocalist, Laura Tate baits you in with her warm voice, backed by Terry Wilson on bass, Billy Watts on guitar, Jeff Paris on keys, Tony Braunagel on drums, Lee Thornberg on brass, Paulie Cerra on sax and Leslie Smith on percussion. I always like when music is nicely woven like a fine fabric and this track is just that. Original soul track, If That Ain't Love, has a strong radio feel with a catchy melody, nice sax work and an interesting rhythm. Cerra lay out a real nice sax solo on this track and backing vocals add nicely to the mix. lightly salted Latin rhythm on Can't Say No has a great feel and Watts' guitar solo is particularly nice. Thin Lizzy's Boys Are Back In Town gets a balladeer's rework and I find it quite nice. I feel that it will appeal strongly to the pop radio market. With it's orchestral arrangement, Still Got The Blues is a really nice showcase for Tate's vocals and the horns do a really nice job warming the track. Watts lays down a particularly nice job playing a cleanly articulated guitar solo as a highlight in the track. With Teresa James joining on vocals, I'll Find Someone Who Will has a cool jazz/rock feel like one associated with Sting. Another nice sax solo by Cerra and tight brass work by Thornberg dresses this track nicely. I Need A Man is another sultry blues track with particularly nice brass work by Thornberg. With strong piano work by Paris this track strengthens the release ever further. Wrapping the release is pop rocker, Wildest Dreams, a definite radio track and possible movie theme. Tate is enjoying herself and I think you will too.

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Lauren Mitchell - Desire - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Desire, from Lauren Mitchell and it's a fine blend of rock, blues and soul. Opening with I Don't Need Nobody, a light R&B number, Lauren Mitchell is backed by Jim Pugh on keys, Reggie mcBride on bass, Tony braunagel on drums with Darrell Leonard on trumpet, Joe Sublett on sax and Johnny Lee Schell, Josh Sklair and Jose Ramirez on guitar. Pop track with a jazz edge, Soul Music allows Mitchell to show off her vocal skills with Maxanne Lewis, Kudisan Kai, Leslie Smith and Mellodye Perry on smooth backing vocals. Title track, Desire, has a warm country soul feel with deep rich vocals. Steve Fister is featured on slide guitar giving the track a crisp edge. McBride lays down a real nice bass line on Jump Into My Fire with a cool R&B style. Bluesy guitar riffs and sassy vocals give this track real traction. With a basic gospel structure, Good To Me As I Am To You, is an excellent track. Pugh's piano work and super horn work on top of soulful vocals by Mitchell make this the absolute best track on the release. Another track with strong R&B appeal is Feels So Good. Mitchell shows strong vocal richness and with a snappy drum riff and super backing vocals, this track floats. Hi stepper, I Ain't Been (Licked Yet) has real spunk with a tight bottom and punchy horns. Mitchell does a great call and answer with Lewis, Kai, Smith and Perry and a clean guitar solo makes this another tight track. Anti-Love Song is another stand out with a great bass riffs and great vocal style. Nicely woven instrumentals by Braunagel, Pugh and McBride make this another of my favorites on the release. Shuffle track, Bridge Of My Dreams, has a great swing. With tight backing vocals and super bluesy guitar riffs, and a slick piano solo by Pugh, Mitchell really hits the mark on this one. Wrapping the release is a plucky, R&B track, Brown Liquor with it's driving secondary rhythm. Mitchell sings this track like she knows a little about the stuff and uses it as a great closer for a real solid release.

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Big Song Music artist: Lisa Biales - The Beat of My Heart - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, The Beat of My Heart, from Lisa Biales and it's rich. Opening with Mabel Scott track, Disgusted, Biales is swinging right from the start backed by Jim Pugh on piano, Larry Taylor on bass and Tony Braunagel on drums. Darrell Leonard adds solid trumpet work and Joe Subjett really gets the sax working with some hot solo lines. Volt (Stax) record, What A Man, a hot R&B track by Linda Lyndell is up next with just a bit of polish a little more funk in the bottom, cool lead guitar work by Johnny lee Schell and cool backing vocals by Maxayn Lewis and Kudisan Kai. Allen Toussaint's I Don't Wanna Hear It has that primal R&B spirit with Tom Peterson on bari sax lead, Joe Sublett on sax and Darrell Leonard on trumpet. Nina Simone's Be My Husband has a swampy feel boosted by Pugh's Hammond work, cool Kay guitar riffs by Schell and top reinforcements by Braunagel. Meemphis Slim's Messin' Around With the Blues falls square into Biales' pure vocal style and she milks it for each note. Leonard's trumpet highlights and a slick guitar solo by Schell add icing to an already rich cake.  Gospel track, Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody, really swings with excellent backing vocals by Lewis, Kai, Leslie Smith and Will Wheaton and of course vital Hammond work by Pugh. Written by her mother, Alberta Roberts, Crying Over You has a firm, 40's sound and character. The purity of Biales' vocals backed by the warm sax work of Sublett, smoky piano work by Pugh and a cool trumpet solo by Lee Thornberg gives this track honest authenticity. Henry Glover's, Wild Stage of Life continues in this vein but with a pinch of a New Orleans blues, nicely complimented by Pugh's keyboard work and a really tasty guitar solo by Paul Brown. Carrie Newcomber's I Should Have Known Better is a really cool track with a funky back beat and just a touch of jazz. Nicely blended vocals between Biales and Schell as well as a crisp piano solo by Pugh make this track one of my release favorites. Wrapping the release is Brenda Burn's smooth R&B track, Brotherly Love. This track showcases a totally different quality of Biales' voice, nicely surrounded by Pugh's keyboard work as well as a really tasty guitar solo by Schell and caressingly warm backing vocals by Lewis, Kai,and Smith. This is an excellent closer for a brilliant vocal album.

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SSR Freeroll Records artist: Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns - Back To The Shack - New Release Review

I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Back To The Shack, from Jack Mack & The Heart Attack Horns and it's solid fun! Opening with Standin' Before The King, Mark Campbell on lead vocal and Melanie Taylor harmonizing lay out a solid rocker with nice piano work by Mike Finnigan, hot bluesy guitar riffs by Andrew Kastner and solid horn work by Les Lovitt on trumpet, Bill Bergman on sax and Lee Thornburg on trumpet and trombone. Cocky, Somethin' In The Water has strong bottom with Tony Braunagel on drums and Bruce Atkinson on bass. Vocal lead by Campbell with backing by Niki J. Crawford, Kathy Merrick and Melanie Taylor works really nicely with Kastner's guitar riffs and the solid backing of the HA Horns. A brassy intro on Don't Let Her Go leads to a smooth radio track. Never Too Late is a nice bluesy shuffle with a balance of guitar riffs and horn punch. It takes a powerful singer to lead this group of guys with intense guitar riffs and powerful horn riffs and Campbell is a great man for the job. With spiritual intensity Campbell's soulful vocal lead with backing vocals from Les Falconer, Atkinson and Finnigan give this track real guts. Serves Me Right is a cool hi steppin' R&B track with a solid hook and a great highlight for Campbell's vocals. Bad Habit is one of my favorite tracks on the release with a smoking James Brown drum riff by Braunagel. Thornburg and Lovitt punch the top hard and Atkinson's bass work really moves under super soulful vocals by Campbell and Bergman's bari sax work. Excellent! Soul track, Change My Ways, is really nice and plays nicely into Campbell's vocal pocket. With a smart brass fanfare and warm backing vocals, puts you in mind of Jimmy Cliff's Many Rivers. With a soulful sax solo by Bergman, this track soars. Very nice! Bergman smokes a real nice sax intro on ballad, Ain't No Way. With orchestral balance on the horns and choral backing by the backing vocalists, Campbell, again shows just what a powerful singer. Very nice. Wrapping the release is the rock spiritual fused, Let Me In. With a chugging rhythm and spotless piano work by Finnigan, this track is a mover with brassy horns and gospel like backing vocals. This is an excellent closer for a really cool release.



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Jesi-Lu Records artist: Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps - Bonafide - New Release review

I just received the newest release, Bonafide from Teresa James & the Rhythm Tramps and it's a rocking blast! Opening with R&B track, I Like It Like That, James leads the way on vocal and over the top piano with super bass work by Terry Wilson, Guitar by Billy Watts and drums by Tony Braunagel. Excellent opener. On Spit It Out, James really hits her stride with Al Green like pace. This track really makes you want to dance with hot vocals and nice horn work by Darnell Leonard and with Mike Finnigan's excellent B3 additions. Funky, Hollywood Way has a super groove with Wilson crafting a nice bass line and real nice slide work by Billy Watts. Backing vocals by Wilson and Watts really add to the richness of this track and James' phrasing is tight! A cool soul track, You Always Pick Me Up, is right down the slot with warm vocals and all of the poise of the queen of soul herself. With a spiritual warmth and the addition of trumpet by Lee Thornburg and sax by Ron Dziubla this track is really nice! Funky rocker, What Happens In Vegas, has the sound of New Orleans fused with a bit of Muscle Soul. Mike Finnigan's piano work, a smoky guitar solo by Wilson and Wilson and Watts' backing vocals really set James vocals on top. Too Big To Fail is another track with that swampy funk and Herman Matthews' drum work and Wilson's guitar work nicely compliment James' soulful vocals. Another great soul track, No Regrets goes even further to show how James is really hitting on all cylinders. With basic backing by Finnigan on organ, Lewis Stephens on Wurlitzer and sassy sax work by Ron Dziubla, this track is smoking! Kicking out the jams, You Want it When You Want It sounds like it was written by Keith Richards. With attitude and style, James crafts a solid rocker and gives it spunk. Wrapping the release is a really nice song, Have a Little Faith In Me, written by John Hiatt. I've always really liked this track and James keeps it light and airy with clear vocals and simple instrumentation. Atmospheric guitar work by Watts, percussive piano by James, Finnigan's organ work and a soulful sax solo by Jerry Peterson makes this a super closer for a really super release.



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Blue Pearl Records artist: Deb Callahan - Sweet Soul - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Sweet Soul, from Deb Callahan and that's exactly what it is. Opening with Big Love with it's solid strut, Callahan establishes her ground vocally joined byMike Finnigan on keys, Reggie McBride on bass, Tony Braunagel on drums and Allen James. Very nice! I Keep Things Running has a solid footing in the blues with bass vamp and and nicely woven keys by Finnigan. Nice backing vocals by Teresa James, Finnigan and Leslie Smith warm the track and a slick guitar solo from James punches it up. Rocker, Shackin Up features Johnny Lee Schell on slide guitar and a cool bass line from McBride drives this track and Deb rides the wave vocally with clarity and authority. Soulful ballad, I Am Family, will have strong cross radio appeal with a taste of country and nice vocal harmonies from Teresa James and Finnigans articulate piano work. Laid back, Sweet Feeling, is a soulful pop track with strong support from Finnigan. Born To Love You screams 60's soul. Possibly my favorite track on the release, Callahan really hits it, supported by Finnigan on keys, Braunagel on drums, McBride on bass and Lydia Hilliard on backing vocals. James lays in a plucky guitar solo with attitude. Excellent! Seven States Away has a super walking bass line from McBride and real nice vocals from Callahan. Finnigan gives this track legs on keys and Braunagel is tight on drums. Tom Waits' Way Down In The Hole is one that has been done by a number of artists, being the theme song for terrific crime drama, The Wire. This track maintains it's Latin flavor and Callahan shows that she can hold down lead vocals where other super stars have been. James' lead guitar solo on this track is really nice and Jimmy Powers adds a nice harp line. Finnigan smooths in a nice keyboards solo and Teresa James, Finnigan and Schell add super backing vocals. Step Back is a southern soul track with intermittent soft and biting rhythms. A cool keyboard interlude by Finnigan sets the track apart and Callahan jumps up kicking. You Don't Know Your Mind is a high stepper and Deb's vocal phrasing is spot on. James springs on his guitar solo and shakes it nicely and Finnigan dabs on keyboard like an artist dabs on paint. Very nice! Ike Turner's Crazy Bout You Baby, calmed down just a little with a 2 step kind of feel and some chickin pickin guitar riffs from James. Callahan keeps a soulful attitude giving it an interesting texture. Slow blues ballad, Slow As Molasses, Sweet as Honey gets really gritty as Callahan digs deep for Pearl like feelings. James plays guitar response to her blues call and also sails with a smooth soulful guitar solo over clever piano work by Finnigan, making this my favorite track on the release. Doctor John's, I Been Hoodood has a strong funk feel but Callahan has such a soulful voice it gives it a fresh feeling. This is a super closer to a strong soulful 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”

 

Delta Groove welcomes Tony Braunagel Delta Groove welcomes Tony Braunagel to our prestigious team of industry professionals who make themselves available on our DELTA GROOVE SERVICES PAGE. Tony will be available along with Randy Chortkoff to service musicians and bands involved with Delta Groove Music and Eclecto Groove Records on a selective basis.  We are proud to welcome Tony Braunagel aboard.

Tony Braunagel Bio Raised on a healthy diet of rhythm and blues, drummer Tony Braunagel began playing around his hometown of Houston, Texas in the mid-sixties, eventually hooking up with such blues luminaries as Lightnin’ Hopkins, John Lee Hooker and Jimmy Reed. Later in life he performed with Charles Brown and Etta James, as well as landing opportunities to record with B.B. King and Otis Rush, just to name a few. Tony left Houston in 1971 and followed his musical calling to New York and later to London. In 1979 he relocated to Los Angeles and joined forces with the likes of Eric Burdon, Rickie Lee Jones, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Robert Cray. His playing and recording experiences are very extensive. Braunagel produced a Grammy Award winning record on Taj Mahal called “Shoutin’ In Key” and has produced three CDs on Eric Burdon, “My Secret Life”, “Soul of a Man”, and the most recent “Until Your River Runs Dry”. Tony has also co-produced  two CDs on Curtis Salgado that received multiple nominations for Blues Music Awards, including a win for Contemporary Blues Album of the Year, and is currently working on a third one. Additionally Braunagel has produced two CDs on the breakout band Trampled Under Foot, the latter one winning a Contemporary Blues Album of the Year Award, and he’s co-produced two records for Eclecto Groove, including Mike Zito’s debut with the label, “Today” and Ana Popovic’s release “Blind for Love”. Tony Braunagel currently lives in Los Angeles and still plays and records with the Phantom Blues Band.

VOTE NOW for BLUES MUSIC AWARDS!

Final Week!!! VOTE NOW for BLUES MUSIC AWARDS!   OUR NOMINEES...   Ann Rabson w/Bob Margolin / Not Alone - Acoustic Blues Album Bob Margolin- Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year Phantom Blues Band - Blues Band of the Year Tony Braunagel (Phantom Blues Band, Robert Cray Band) - Drums Mike Finnigan (Phantom Blues Band) - Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Diunna Greenleaf (Vizzable Music Artist) - Koko Taylor Award          Click the CD to listen or buy at VizzTone.com   ;-)   Voting ends at 07:59:59 (CST) Friday, March 1, 2013! Blues Foundation members can vote HERE. If you're not yet a Blues Foundation member or you need to renew your membership You can do that HERE before you vote.   The 34th Blues Music Awards will be Thursday May 9, 2013 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee.  It's the biggest night in the Blues, and we hope to see you there!!!     Goodbye to Ann Rabson   Our dear friend, Blues Legend Ann Rabson passed on January 30. Beloved by many around the world, Ann was known for her 25 years with Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women, as well as her solo projects.  She was also known for her exceptionally good humor, big heart and generosity of spirit.  She will be deeply missed.     VizzTone is proud to present Ann's recent CD Not Alone with Bob Margolin.    From Bob:      "Ann is one of my closest friends. In 2012 Ann's health told us we should not wait to record together. This recording seemed blessed, every plan and song right. Last April Ann recorded some of her best Blues ever and was exhilarated from it. My guitar was the frame around Ann's masterpiece. We gigged together as much as she could in 2012. Ann loved to play Blues onstage more than anyone. Last Sunday, we had a bittersweet musical memorial for Ann in Fredericksburg, VA, where she lived — smiles, tears and music. Sirius Radio's Bill Wax was there and told me that her CD will be moving UP from #3 Sirius "Pick to Click" this week. The Blues World is appreciating Ann Rabson and we are all Not Alone."   From Ann's Family:      We are asking that donations in Ann's memory be made to your local humane society or animal shelter, or to the Pinetop Perkins Foundation to support scholarships for music education.  Please specify Ann Rabson in the "In Memory Of" box on the donation page.  Also promise us that you will keep the blues alive by supporting your local blues society and the national Blues Foundation.  Support blues music by going out to listen to live music or by attending blues music camps such as Blues Week in Elkins, WV, Centrum, or Fur Peace Ranch .      Basically what we're saying is: Play music and think often and fondly of our dear mother/wife by living the life you sing about in your songs.     VizzTone proudly welcomes the James Montgomery Band!     NEW ON VIZZTONE / OPEN E ENTERTAINMENT - CLICK ON THE CD COVER TO CHECK IT OUT!   The VizzTone label group is proud to welcome the James Montgomery Band, and their new CD - FROM DETROIT TO THE DELTA - featuring special guests Johnny Winter, James Cotton, Aerosmith’s Brad Whitford and Joey Kramer, the Uptown Horns, and seminal rapper DMC!   While growing up in Detroit, James Montgomery learned first-hand from the masters — James Cotton, John Lee Hooker, and Jr. Wells. Over the years, he’s carried on in the tradition and continues to be a vital presence in Blues as one of its most dynamic performers. In the late 60s James moved to Boston and formed the James Montgomery Band.  Incredibly energetic live shows placed them among the hottest acts in New England alongside the J. Geils Band and the budding Aerosmith (who opened two shows for the Montgomery Band), and they were quickly signed to a multi-album deal with Capricorn Records.  Since that time, James has recorded eight albums. His releases have hit the Billboard Top Ten and included members of the David Letterman Band, the Uptown Horns, producer Allen Toussaint and other luminaries. James spent four years playing with Johnny Winter, and recorded on his Grammy-nominated “Bluesman” CD.  He has also recorded with Kid Rock and Uncle Kracker. James has toured with many major artists, including Aerosmith, Bonnie Raitt, Bruce Springsteen, the Allman Brothers, Steve Miller and others, and performed onstage with B.B.King, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Jr. Wells, James Cotton, Bonnie Raitt, Greg Allman, Laverne Baker, and Peter Wolf among many others, including an impromptu session with Mick Jagger at New York’s “Trax”. FROM DETROIT TO THE DELTA finds James and his great band once again in the company of well-known friends: Johnny Winter plays some blazing slide guitar, James Cotton joins James in a lowdown country blues, Aerosmith’s Joey Kramer and Brad Whitford power up a couple tracks, the Uptown Horns add their special flavor, and rapper DMC (Run DMC) takes “Who Do You Love” to a whole new place.   mmm, mmm, mmMemphis!   We had SUCH a good time in Memphis during IBC week!  It was so great to see so many friends and VizzTone family members, old and new, and the VizzTone Blues Party on Beale was a HUGE success!  DAVE GROSS and GINA SICILIA were amazing as hosts and house band for the night, and what a pleasure it was to witness killer performances from Dave, Gina, Big Bill Morganfield, Bob Corritore, Austin Young, Long Tall Deb, Big Llou Johnson, Greg Nagy, Dennis Gruenling, Tony Braunagel, T. Blade, Janiva Magness, Erin Harpe & the Delta Swingers, Phil Pemberton, Doug Woolverton, Clay Swafford, Scissormen, Dave Keller, Gracie Curran, Tom Papadatos, Matt Raymond, and more!!!   Memphis was also the perfect backdrop for signing up VizzTone's newest family members - Austin Young and Long Tall Deb!  And yes, we managed to keep the BBQ sauce off the paperwork!              Congratulations to this year's KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE Award recipient in the field of journalism... BOB MARGOLIN! Bob's eBook is available in the iTunes Store, also on Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble & Sony   Unfortunately Bob couldn't join us in Memphis to blow the roof off the Rum Boogie or accept his KBA award - he's been a little bit busy.  Vizztone's Richard Rosenblatt was glad to accept Bob's KBA in Journalism on his behalf (even though he refused to wear the Chicken Suit that Bob had requested.)  Much of Bob's award-winning Blues writing can be found in his e-Book "Steady Rollin' — Blues Stories, Snapshots, (Intentional) Blues Fiction."  As Rosy was quick to point out in his acceptance remarks, "Intentional" fiction marks the delicate distinction between "storytelling" and "lying."  ;-) So what has Bob been doing?  Well, he's been on the Blues At The Crossroads tour, with Kim Wilson, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, Jody Williams and Tinsley Ellis ... so I guess we'll give him a pass from Memphis this time.           Mitch Woods on Voice Of America Mitch Woods has been getting a tremendous response to Blues Beyond Borders, his CD/DVD chronicle of his triumphant tour of the Republic of Turkey.  Voice Of America Radio recently broadcast a great interview, in which Mitch talks about his travels as well as his influences and beginnings in the gumbo of New Orleans music and Boogie-Woogie piano.  Click HERE for the VOA article and interview, or click HERE to check out the music!             EG Kight - Songwriting Georgia Songbird   The Georgia Songbird has been busy!  EG Kight just got back from Isla Mujeres, a little island in Mexico, where she and some hit songwriters from Nashville performed to raise funds of the Little Yellow School House, a small school on the island for special needs children.  She also performed a concert for Isla Animals, an animal shelter on the island.   One of EG's primary passions has always been songwriting — she wrote her first song when she was sixteen years old. Through the years her songs have helped her express her views on life, love and heartache, and her songwriting savvy has led to invitations to teach songwriting workshops in Italy and Germany. Kight has been honored with six Blues Music Awards nominations, twice for Song of the Year, and she was nominated for two 2012 Blues Blast awards, for Female Artist and for Song of the Year. One of Kight's original compositions won the People’s Choice Award in an international Peace Song Challenge, and that song was used on the Children’s Miracle Network. She has also appeared on NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion”, and an original song from her segment was re-broadcast on the Listener’s Choice Program.  Kight has had some of her songs recorded by several artists across the genres. She wrote songs that landed on two of Koko Taylor’s Grammy nominated albums, and one of her songs aired on Nick at Nite. She continues to write relevant songs, and currently has songs on albums that have been nominated for 2013 Blues Music Awards. She co-wrote "No Time For The Blues", which appears on Ann Rabson w/Bob Margolin's NOT ALONE album, and her "Let The Healing Begin" can be found on Dorothy Moore's BLUES HEART album. These albums were nominated for Acoustic Album and Soul Blues Album, respectively.  Her song "Bad Girl" also appears on Shakura S'Aida's TIME album. Shakura has been nominated for a BMA for Contemporary Blues Female Artist.     Greg Nagy Won't Give Up!   Greg Nagy debuted his deeply moving new single, "I Won't Give Up" at the VizzTone Blues Party in Memphis.  In case you weren't there to dig it in person, you can check it out on iTunes by clicking HERE or on the Artwork to the left! Greg has been busy performing, writing, and recording... and there has been some talk of a duo recording with VizzTone label mate EG Kight!  Stay tuned on that one... and just in case you missed Greg's soulful Big O/VizzTone release FELL TOWARD NONE, you can hear it by clicking HERE, or on the CD cover to the Right!   Dennis and Doug at 2:22 A.M.   Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones have been tearing it up on the radio charts and on the road with featured harmonica badass Dennis Gruenling, in support of their new CDs.  Here they are playing a killer slow blues from Dennis's album, called "2:22 A.M."  Harmonica aficionados will note that he's playing a diatonic Bb harp, and that this is a full two hours and thirty-seven minutes later than Little Walter's "Quarter to Twelve"!   ;-) Click the pic to see the video   Getting Social with Amy Brat     SOCIAL SPOTLIGHT: Gina Sicilia FACEBOOK: Are you a fan yet?  Gina Sicilia's Music Page is heading towards 14,000 fans on Facebook! If you haven't "LIKED" her Music Page please go check it out!  It's where you'll get the most up-to-date info on where Gina is and what she's doing.  You'll be privy to Gina's new song lyrics, travels, events, photos and videos from the road and a whole lot more.  You can also hang with Gina on Twitter, YouTube, and ReverbNation.   LIVE INTERNET SHOW: If you haven't had the opportunity to see Gina Sicilia perform, here's a chance for you to see Gina's show live from the comfort of your own home!  Get your ticket for Gina's LIVE acoustic internet show on StageIt airing at 8pm ET March 1st!  There is no set ticket price so just pay whatever you want or can.  Now how easy is that!?  Only a limited number of fans can view so claim your spot now!  Click HERE to purchase your (name your price) ticket!   GINA SICILIA'S NEW CD: If you've spent any time on Facebook or Twitter recently then you probably know Gina Sicilia has a new CD in the works.  Gina just wrapped up a very successful Indiegogo campaign for her soon to be released "It Wasn't Real" which is due out April 30, 2013 with the VizzTone label group, produced by Grammy Award-Winning Producer Glenn Barratt in Philadelphia. Gina strongly feels this new CD is her best work and I agree!   VIDEO PREVIEW: Click HERE (or on the cover) for a peek at the 4 song CD Preview of It Wasn't Real!   ARRIVEDERCI! Gina will be performing in Southern Italy! Watch her Facebook Page for details and photos. She is touring heavily throughout the US so please check her schedule to see when she will be at a venue or festival near you!  You can find Gina Sicilia's 2013 schedule here on the Gina Sicilia website.

Did you know... you can preview Every song from Every artist at www.vizztone.com!