After three tours to South Africa, George bought the night club where he performed —The Blues Room, and turned it into the most prestigious live music venue in that county. 1n 2007, after an award winning 10-year run, George sold the Blues Room and has returned to the US and to his first love, performing. His current show is a tour de force of solo acoustic guitar, from Ragtime to Blues, with the occasional Bach thrown in to keep things interesting! More than the usual singer/guitarist, a George Worthmore show is interlaced with humorous comments and amusing anecdotes about the songs, his life and his music.
Author: bgd-bryan
Joe Louis Walker
Joe Louis Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album Everybody Wants A Piece cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues. Looking back on his rich history, Walker shares, “I’d like to be known for the credibility of a lifetime of being true to my music and the blues. Sometimes I feel I’ve learned more from my failures, than from my success. But that’s made me stronger and more adventurous. And helped me create my own style. I’d like to think that when someone puts on one of my records they would know from the first notes, ‘That’s Joe Louis Walker.” www.joelouiswalker.com
Curtis Salgado
With a career spanning forty years, award-winning soul, blues and R&B vocalist/harmonicist/songwriter Curtis Salgado is a one-of-a-kind talent whose music is as compelling as his story. From co-fronting The Robert Cray Band to leading his own band (and recording nine solo albums) to helping transform John Belushi into “Joliet” Jake Blues to touring the country with Steve Miller and Santana, he is a true musical giant. NPR calls him “a blues icon” with a “huge voice.” Salgado earned a reputation for high-intensity performances and a repertoire inspired by his encyclopedic knowledge of soul, blues and R&B music. He won the 2010 Blues Music Award (BMA) for Soul Blues Artist Of The Year and went on to win the award again in 2012 and 2013. In 2013 he also won the coveted BMA for B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year—the highest honor the blues world has to offer—and took the statue for Soul Blues Album Of The Year for his Alligator debut, Soul Shot. Blues Revue says Salgado’s music is “triumphant, joyful, blues-soaked R&B” and declared him to be “one of the most soulful, honest singers ever.”
The Beautiful Lowdown, Salgado’s new Alligator album, is the singer’s most fearless and adventurous release to date. For the first time in his career, he wrote or co-wrote virtually the entire album himself. He co-produced it along with Marlon McClain and Tony Braunagel and contributed to the horn arrangements and background vocal parts. “My heart and soul are in this,” he says proudly. “I worked my tail off and let the songs lead the way.” As for the title, Salgado explains, “During a recent show, I turned to my guitarist and said, ‘Play something lowdown. But make it beautiful.’ Then I thought, ‘Keep that.’”
The Beautiful Lowdown is a major step forward for Salgado. “I wanted to write memorable songs with strong melodies that stick to you, and that’s what’s here.” He arrived at the studio with 17 originals and whittled the list down to 11, adding Johnny “Guitar” Watson’s Hook Me Up to close the set. Each track—from the Van Morrison-esque Nothing In Particular to the funk grooves of My Girlfriend to the driving Hard To Feel The Same About Love to the reggae-tinged Simple Enough—is delivered with the vocal power and passion of a musical master. Living Blues says, “Salgado navigates dynamic soul, swaying balladry, and funky grooves with equal confidence. He is a formidable performer.”
Photo Credit: Joseph A. Rosen
Sugar Blue
Sugar Blue incorporates what he has learned into his visionary and singular style, technically dazzling yet wholly soulful. He bends, shakes, spills flurries of notes with simultaneous precision and abandon, combining dazzling technique with smoldering expressiveness and gives off enough energy to light up several city square blocks… And sings too! His distinctive throat tends to be overlooked in the face of his instrumental virtuosity – he’s got a rich, sensual voice with a whisper of huskiness which by itself would be something out of the ordinary. Harmonica virtuoso Sugar Blue is not your typical bluesman, winning a Grammy Award for his work on the Atlantic album, Blues Explosion, recorded live at the Montreux Jazz Festival. www.sugar-blue.com
Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band
Chubby Carrier is undeniably “The World’s Premier Zydeco Showman.” Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band are turning heads around the world and bringing Louisiana flavor to the masses. The funky zydeco band’s latest release, “Zydeco Junkie,” earned one of the highest musical accolades when it was named Best Zydeco or Cajun Album during the 53rd annual Grammy Awards celebration in February 2011. In addition to the coveted Grammy, the band was honored with OffBeat magazine’s Best of the Beat award when it named “Zydeco Junkie” as the Best Zydeco Album. Furthermore, the 2010 Big Easy Music Awards awarded the group for Best Zydeco. www.chubbycarrier.com
Nick Moss Band
A conversation with guitarist and blues aficionado, Nick Moss, is never dull. The 16-time Blues Music Award nominee is one of the top draws on the blues circuit and one of the most exciting, dynamic performers working today. And work he does. He and his band play venues, clubs and festivals world-wide and maintain not only a grueling tour schedule, but an active recording schedule as well. Nick is a gifted storyteller, a songwriter that takes his craft seriously and a musician with a daunting work ethic. He is a walking encyclopedia of blues and music knowledge, and his deep understanding of the genre shines on the new release, From the Root to the Fruit (Blue Bella Records, 2016). www.nickmossband.com
Vanessa Collier
Master musician and multi-talented blues performer, Vanessa Collier, was recently nominated for a 2017 Blues Music Award (BMA). With searing saxophone solos, soulful vocals, and witty lyrics, Vanessa’s songwriting takes you through an engaging blend of blues, funk, rock, and soul in an exceptionally entertaining, high-energy performance. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Vanessa’s alluring vocals and stinging saxophone work saw her light up stages as part of Joe Louis Walker’s band (2012-2013), while her 2014 debut album Heart Soul & Saxophone was declared “magnificent” on Dan Aykroyd’s blues radio show, winning her accolades as a Best of 2014 Blues Breaker. www.vanessacollier.com
Sean Chambers Band
Sean Chambers toured with the legendary Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader from 1998-2003. Britain’s own Guitarist magazine named Chambers as “One of the top 50 blues guitarists of the last century.” After his tenure with Sumlin, he was asked to headline the prestigious Maryport Blues Festival. In 2009, Chambers recorded what would be his most critically-acclaimed album to date, Ten Til Midnight, which garnered rave reviews and also appeared on the Living Blues chart for the first three months. It received steady airplay in 45 states around the U.S, as well as many markets overseas. “Guitarist Chambers achieves the distinctly American blues/soul/country/rock sound that the Stones used to aspire to long ago.” www.seanchambers.com
– Jerry Shriver, USA TODAY
Brody Buster
Brody Buster is a blues and rock musician from Lawrence, KS. His unique and extensive experiences in the music industry have been a bit of a whirlwind, to say the least. As a tow-headed 9 year old, Buster was heralded by blues legend BB King –who made the pronouncement after pulling Buster onstage during the midst of a full house at a sold out concert- as “one of the greatest harmonica players of our time, despite his age, believe it or not.” At the 2017 International Blues Challenge, Brody won second place overall in the Solo/Duo category and also won the award for “Best Blues Harmonica.”. http://www.brodybuster.com/
TC Carr & Bolts of Blue
Harmonica man, T.C. Carr is one of Florida’s top musical artists. He has long earned a reputation as one of the premier harmonica players in the United States and Europe. He is a Florida native and passionate singer songwriter. His strong lead vocals and unique harp work demand an audience’s attention and he is a fan favorite wherever he plays. T.C. has established himself as one of Florida’s best blues and Americana artists. He is one-of-a-kind, truly like nothing you’ve ever heard! T.C. Carr & Bolts of Blue is an Original, American Blues/Roots band now on the Festival circuit. With the amazing JOSH NELMS on guitar they have quickly become one of Florida’s top concert bands. http://www.tccarr.com/
Ronnie Baker Brooks
6:45pm–8pm
An American Chicago blues and soul guitarist, singer and songwriter – Brooks was a respected club performer in Chicago before recording three solo albums for Watchdog Records. Another born-to-play-the-blues dynamo, he’s the son of fellow Chicago blues musician Lonnie Brooks and brother of blues guitarist Wayne Baker Brooks.
Brooks is a monster guitarist with an ample supply of technique and passion that wows crowds of all ages. Brooks’ unique twist takes blues rock and deep soul and shakes it up with modern hip-hop vocals and funk rhythms. Working with Minneapolis producer Jellybean Johnson, a veteran collaborator of Prince and Janet Jackson, Brooks takes blues-roots to new depths.
“I like to think of how Muddy Waters took the Mississippi blues he heard in his youth and modernized it for his times by making it electric and harder,” Brooks says. “That’s what I’m trying to do for my generation.“
Brooks’ personal touch shines through in the concise, colorful songs for The Torch album he wrote. He draws on the choppy, hip-shaking rhythms of funk, the emotional truth of soul and the forcefulness of rock to bring a distinctive dimension to his groundbreaking sound.
“I wanted to do something that would bring young people to the blues, and then give them the real hardcore thing at the same time,” Brooks says. “When I grew up, all my friends listened to rap and funk, and I listened to the blues…we saw some connection among them. It’s a hip-hop world right now, but I want to bring a little blues to the party.”
Visit Ronnie Baker Brooks’ website.
The Golden State/Lone Star Revue
5:15pm–6:30pm
This all-star band of musicians hails from California and Texas, delivering rockin’ western-bred blues true to their nature. A distinct subgenre of the blues, fans will delight to a heavier use of guitar licks as bridges and Southern-slide melodies combined with sweet harp for a swingin’ Texas-blues combo.
Featured in the Revue are: Mark Hummel (harp-blower, vocalist, bandleader and Grammy nominee); Little Charlie Baty (ex-Nightcats bandleader and guitar hero); RW Grigsby (bassist); Texans Anson Funderburgh (guitarist and Rockets bandleader) and Wes Starr (famed Austin drummer who played with the Who’s Who of Texas music royalty).
Hummel started playing harmonica in 1970 and since has become one of the premier blues harmonica players of this generation. His trademark sound – a subtle combination of tone, phrasing and attack – combines with a strong sense of swing.
Producing and performing Blind Pig’s Remembering Little Walter, the CD was nominated for a Grammy Award and has recently won Best Blues Album and Best Traditional Blues Album of the year at the Blues Music Awards.
Mark has earned three Blues Award nominations for best Blues Harmonica (2007, 2008 and 2009) and the Remembering Little Walter CD has garnered two nominations in 2014 for best CD and best Traditional CD. Mark Hummel was nominated two years in a row for the BMA 2015 Best Instrumentalist-Harmonica. In 2015, the Best Traditional Blues Album titled The Hustle is Really On features the Revue, completing a new recording for release in 2016.
Visit The Golden State/Lone Star Revue website.
Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots
4pm–5pm
Born in Savannah, Georgia, Victor was surrounded by a musical family as he emulated his dad’s vocals and Grandpa Jessie’s boogie-woogie piano playing. Though his career began more than a decade ago with genuine rock n’ roll honky-tonk, Wainwright has broadened his artistic scope to include music representing virtually every corner of the blues. His high-octane Boogie piano blended with soulful vocals are backed by one of the most gifted bands on the scene – The Wildroots.
Wainwright’s insatiable interest in music discovery, sheer love for entertaining and curiosity have led him all around the world. The resulting perspective is a reflection of his passion for entertaining and creating progressive roots music in an effort to move the blues art form forward.
Composer, producer, vocalist, entertainer and award winning piano player, Victor Wainwright is a raucous, high-octane, dynamic performer and crowd pleaser with soul to spare. Among his claims to fame: 2016 Blues Music Award Nominee, BB King Entertainer of The Year, Band of The Year, Piano Player of The Year, 2015 Boom Town Billboard Top 10 #5, 2013 and 2014 Piano Player of The Year (BMA). With the release of Boom Town, their latest record, the band is certain to ignite blues-roots fans with a flame they can’t explain.
Visit Victor Wainwright & the Wildroots’ website.
Jason Ricci
2:45pm–3:45pm
Hailing from Portland Maine, Jason Ricci began his international music career by moving to Memphis in 1995 to hone his spectacular harp talent with former Johnny Winter sideman Pat Ramsey. That same year, only 20-years-old, Ricci won the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest and played the King Biscuit Festival.
Since then Ricci has won dozens of blues and harmonica contests, toured the world and amassed an impressive collection of awards, honors and accolades. In 2010 Ricci’s album Done With The Devil (Delta Groove) was nominated for a BMA Award. He won the BMA Award for Best Harmonica Player competing with and beating his childhood heroes Kim Wilson, Billy Branch, Mark Hummel and Rick Estrin.
In 2014 Ricci was a featured artist on Johnny Winter’s Grammy Award-winning album Step Back produced by Paul Nelson. Ricci was invited by Paul Shaffer to play on the HBO televised Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony for Paul Butterfield in 2015. Ricci performed in front of 10,000 people and millions of HBO viewers with Zac Brown (multi-platinum singer songwriter) and Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello with the Paul Shaffer band.
Visit Jason Ricci’s website.
Larry McCray
1:30pm–2:30pm
Arkansas-based and Michigan-bred Larry McCray is a singer, guitarist, songwriter and bandleader that takes blues soul and rocks it to new heights.
“I’ve always loved blues from a feeling-state, but have been a rock and roll fan, so I write music that’s rock-friendly,” Larry says.
He’s met and played with kings of blues influences B.B. King, Albert King and Freddie King and his 25-plus year career has led him across genre boundaries drawing attention worldwide with his own savage blues-rock guitar and warm, soulful vocals.
Magnolia Records released McCray’s first live album in 2005. In November of 2006, Larry’s studio record, Larry McCray, was released and gained popularity from coast to coast in the U.S. also making a splash in Europe.
He’s earned an Orville H. Gibson Males Blues Guitarist award and the Top Guitarist prize in the International Blues Matters 2014 Writers poll. In 2015 he won the Sunshine Sonny Payne award for Excellence in Blues.
Larry’s latest CD release, The Gibson Sessions, features some of his personal favorite rock tunes including songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bob Seger, ZZ Top, Greg Allman, CCR and more and are performed with guitar virtuosos Dickie Betts, Derek Trucks, David Hidalgo and Jimmy Herring. Larry’s rock/blues offerings are certain to bring the fans to their feet.
Visit Larry McCray’s website.
Sugar Ray and the Bluetones
12:15pm–1:15pm
Singer and harp man Sugar Ray Norcia’s career kicked into high gear in 1979 when he formed the original band with guitar-giant Ronnie Earl and they’ve been cruising at 90 m.p.h. ever since. Touring the world with the Bluetones, he’s creating acclaimed albums including his forth Severn release My Life, My Friends, My Music which earned Blues Music Award nominations for Album of the Year, Instrumentalist-Harmonica, Instrumentalist-Bass, and Song of the Year for Last Words of a Fool.
This five-piece, Chicago-style blues band has a robust, frisky, yet sexy tone and Norcia’s voice is one of the most distinctive, well-defined and recognizable instruments in modern blues. His recording titled Evening was nominated for five 2012 Blues Music Awards including: Album of the Year, Band of the Year, Traditional Blues Album, Instrumentalist-Harmonica and Instrumentalist-Bass.
Ray was inducted into Rhode Island’s Music Hall of Fame in 2012, as well as the Canadian South Hall of Fame. Nominated for three Grammy Awards, Ray was selected for a 2014 Grammy Award for his contribution on the album Remembering Little Walter, Blind Pig Records. This same recording won two 2014 Blues Music Awards for Album of the Year and Traditional Blues Album.
Visit Sugar Ray and the Bluetones’ website.
Slam Allen Band
11:00am–12:00pm
Slam Allen has been entertaining with his unique blend of soul and blues for more than 20 years. Playing the famous Chitlin’ Circuit and performing around the world, Allen’s music has been shared with thousands of people. For the past five years he has played an important role in the legendary James Cotton Band (Cotton was Muddy Waters’ band leader). “It’s one of the highlights and privileges of my life to play with Cotton” says Allen, “He is one of the last living legends, and there’s so much history there.” One could say music is in Allen’s blood — he got an early start from his father and uncles of The Allen Brothers Band. Slam carries on the family legacy and forms a familiar bond with the crowd. “When I play,” says Allen, “people who may have never heard of me leave the show with a feeling like we’re old friends or family.”
Slam co-produced and performed on the Grammy-nominated Giant CD by James Cotton. He’s a New York State Blues Hall of Fame Master Musician inductee and a nominee for Best New CD by a New Artist by BMA in 2016.
From B.B. King and Otis Redding tunes to soulful blues originals, Slam has a way of slam-dunking your soul to the moon and back.
Visit Slam Allen Band’s website.
