Joanne Shaw Taylor --
"Last year I heard something I thought I would never hear... a British White Girl playing blues guitar so deep and passionately it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end!" (Dave Stewart/Eurythmics)

When Dave Stewart had his big experience, Joanne Shaw Taylor was only 16. Her skills at the Telecaster were so perfect that the blues fan and Eurythmics-frontman asked her to join his supergroup D.U.P. to tour Europe in 2002. She was also offered a record contract but the label went bust. Today Joanne is 23 and happy about the fact that she took her time with the recording debut: "I wanted to take time out to really work on my craft and make sure that when I did an album it was the best that I could do."

Joanne Shaw Taylor Video of "Rude Mood"          Click Picture to left for Joanne Shaw Taylor website
Click HERE for title song from White Sugar CD  (Be patient, these songs will download in a new window)   

Smokin' Joe Kubec featuring Bnois King--

  "Powerful, hard-nosed, authentic roadhouse blues…Punchy Texas shuffles, fierce boogies, tough slow blues and mighty fine roots rock” –Living Blues

  "Kubek is one of the fiercest electric guitarists currently plugged-in. 
Hard-hitting original Texas blues-rock” –Billboard

Kubek is one of those people who was born to play the guitar. Kubek has the technique and the chops to burn up any stage and has been doing so for the past 27 years. A guitar prodigy at the age of 14 the Texas born guitar slinger frequented the Dallas bar scene during the 1970's and early 80's playing with Stevie Ray Vaughan and people like the three Kings, B. B., Albert and Freddie. In 1989, Kubek met guitarist/vocalist Bnois King at a Monday night Dallas jam session. The two became fast friends, and melded their seemingly divergent styles—Kubek a rocking and fierce picker and slider, King a jazz-inflected chorder (who could also solo with flaming electricity)—into one of the most potent guitar combinations the Southwest had ever produced. Kubek explains the relationship succinctly: “I pull the blues out of him, and he pulls the jazz out of me. Bnois knows so much about jazz it’s amazing.”

Smokin' Joe Kubec Video of "Shadows in the Dark"      Click Picture above right for Smokin' Joe website
Click HERE for title song from Have Blues Will Travel CD (Be patient, these songs will download in a new window)

James Cotton Superharp--
The hippies had arrived. They were young people with flowers in their hair and music in their hearts and they wanted to know where this rock n roll music came from. Muddy Waters and Brownie McGhee got together and wrote "The Blues Had a Baby and They Called It Rock and Roll" which answered their question. This song was on the "Hard Again" album on the Blue Sky label featuring Muddy on vocals and guitar, Johnny Winter on guitar, and Cotton on harmonica. Not to be forgotten are the miscellaneous screams provided by Johnny Winter and the miscellaneous hoots (or are they hollers?) of Cotton! It's obvious, they had a ball while making this record. It won a Grammy in 1977. Some of Janis Joplin's most popular songs were old blues standards, i.e., Big Mama Thornton's "Ball and Chain." The first time Cotton opened for Janis she had never heard him play. After the show that night an excited Janis phoned Albert Grossman, who was Janis' and Cotton's manager at the time, in Woodstock. Then Albert phoned Cotton saying, "Janis was all excited and told me 'Man, I REALLY dig that James Cotton, he makes me WORK!'" Cotton opened for and/or sat-in with the Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Santana, Steve Miller, Freddie King, B.B. King...to name a few. He played the Fillmore East in New York, the Fillmore West in San Francisco, and almost every major venue between those two cities including the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Cotton became known as the ultimate showman. By the time he got to the center of the stage and blew his first note, the audience was on it's feet, dancing, screaming, sweating right along with him, and having a good time. That is what it was all about. "Boogie, boogie, boogie," he'd wail from the stage. He became famous for his back flips. An old fan reminisced with him at a recent festival, "James, the first time I saw you do a back flip, man, I was shocked," he said, shaking his head, "I'd never seen one before! Thanks." Cotton laughed, patted his stomach, and replied, "Well, you aren't getting the flips tonight but you WILL get the music!"

James Cotton Video          Click Picture above left for James Cotton website
Click HERE for song Find Yourself Another Fool from the Giant CD (Be patient, these songs will download in a new window)

Kenny Jones-
Guitarist, Singer, Songwriter, Producer -- Born in Annapolis, MD, Kenny developed his musical roots by playing Motown, R&B, Blues, Top 40 and Rock n Roll. In the late 1970s, Kenny relocated to South Florida (Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale, Miami) working the Southern Rock scene. A call from a friend took Kenny to Nashville, Tennessee. For the next several years, Kenny toured the U.S., Europe, and Asia as a guitarist and band leader for many national acts and artists. Kenny has also performed on several TNN television shows as well as playing for numerous recording sessions. After a tour with the Philadelphia based Bill Haley's Comets, Kenny relocated to Delaware to pursue songwriting and performing the Blues and Jazz music that he grew up with.

Kenny Jones Video          Click Picture above left for Kenny Jones website

Randy Lippincott-
Randy has toured the world, visiting 17 countries on 4 continents, playing major festivals at home and abroad with such artists as Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Johnny "Clyde" Copeland, Shemeika Copeland, Lonnie Shields, Big Bill Morganfield, Ola Dixon and Steve Guyger. Touring is an important facet of the music profession although not a favorite activity of many.
                  In addition to his touring credits, Randy has been honored to appear on a number of recordings (see the discography page for details). His services are in demand by artists and record labels alike. Randy has even been privileged to appear on the Grammy-nominated Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson CD "Got To Find A Way."
         Whether as a single, a duo, or fronting his own band, Randy brings his years of experience to every show. Having paid his dues learning at the feet of the masters, he has stepped from the shadows out into the spotlight. While it is a new experience for him in many ways, it is the path he is compelled to take to move his career to the next level.

Randy Lippincott Video          Click Picture above right for Randy Lippincott website

The Porkroll Project--

Semi-Finalist in the 2010 International Blues Challenge, Memphis, TN Semi-Finalist in the Blues Foundation's 2010 "Best Self-Produced CD" for Shake It Twice

The Porkroll Project, from the greater Philadelphia, PA area is hard rocking 6 piece blues band who play a high energy blend of fresh blues covers and originals.

The music is blues, but it's done up Porkroll style. Little bit of grease, good dose of funk, whole lotta drive and grind. Throw that together with some dangerous lead guitar and harmonica, powerful organ, and rippin' piano, and you have a recipe for a night where anything can happen!

The band has a collective experience that runs deep and wide, having played together in various other projects for over ten years. They've shared the stage, not only with each other, but also with such notables as Bo Diddley, Los Lobos, Mem Shannon, Michael Hill's Blues Mob, Bobby Radcliffe, just to name a few. They are well seasoned veterans of events such as the Phila. Jam on the River, the Annual Chameleon Club Blues Festival, the Phila. Folk Festival, and the always fun Bandana Blues Festival.

So if you and your crew are craving some hard rocking, foot stomping, hip shaking, earth-quaking entertainment, give an ear to a heaping helping of The Porkroll Project. It's the right thing to do, and a tasty way to do it.

Click for Porkroll Project Video of "Evil Woman Blues"       Click Picture above for Porkroll Project website

Travis "Moonchild" Haddix--
Travis Haddix began playing the piano at the age of seven in his home town of Walnut, Mississippi, located thirty miles south of Memphis, Tennessee. The turning point in his musical learning experience came when he was eight, when the legendary B.B. King came to Memphis and began playing daily at the studios of WDIA. Travis was awed by King;s guitar virtuosity and he hung around the radio station every day to learn all he could. Soon, Travis' piano playing fell by the wayside and was replaced by the guitar, which he plays on stage and in the studio.

Years later, the Haddix family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Travis, now a budding star, continued to refine his craft by singing and playing throughout the North. The original "Moonchild", he earned the nickname from his beaming presence on stage and his always broad smile and energetic, sexy performances, In 1959, Travis moved to Cleveland, Ohio where he joined the D.L. Rocco Band and achieved regional notoriety that led to a prominent spot with the Little Johnnie Taylor group. Travis also contributed material to five albums by Artie "Bluesboy" White. His material is also covered by Artie “blues boy” White, Dickie Williams, Jimmy Dawkins, Michael Burks, Charles Wilson, the late Son Seals, and Lee Shot Williams.

Click for Travis Haddix video of "I've got a Secret"          Click Picture above for Travis Haddix website
Click HERE for a medley of songs from the 2009 Chicago Blues Festival (Songs will download in a new window)

E.C. Scott--
No less a music industry legend than Jerry Wexler, co-founder of Atlantic Records, called E.C. Scott "one honest-to-God soul singer." High praise indeed from the man who produced Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Wilson Pickett! Blues and R&B diva E.C. Scott possesses a warm, inviting voice and a delivery that can be smooth and sultry one minute and sassy and sexy the next. She can mesmerize a crowd down to a whisper or rock them into a loud frenzy.

E.C. Scott has developed her own style, a refreshingly original and distinctively modern approach. Her enticing, rich voice, hook-laden arrangements, and intelligent, at times humorous, lyrics come together to produce songs that aren't easily forgotten. "I want my music to have that old R&B flavor but with a new sound," she says. While growing up in Oakland, California, E.C. spent most of her time singing in St. John Missionary Baptist Church. Later, witnessing performances by gospel singers Shirley Caesar and Inez Andrews left a strong impression on her. "I thought their world was fascinating and I wanted to be part of it," says Scott.

E.C. started out singing jazz, but, "I had too much energy for jazz. I'd finish my show and want to go find someone else's show to sing in." Soon she drifted back to R&B, where she felt "back at home, and I've been there ever since." E.C.'s growing reputation allowed her to share the stage with Lou Rawls, Ray Charles, Patti La Belle, Jr. Walker and the All Stars, John Lee Hooker, and the Ohio Players. E.C. Scott and her band Smoke built a strong following in the San Francisco Bay Area with their dynamic performances at local clubs and a year long stint as the house band at Slim's, at the time San Francisco's premier blues nightspot. In 1991 fervent fans backed E.C.'s first recording, a single ("Just Dance" b/w "Let's Make It Real") that sold amazingly well for a local, self-financed project. Scott's crowd-pleasing prowess makes her equally welcome at tony high-society gigs as well as the rowdiest blues dive. In one year alone, E.C. performed at Grand Openings for the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet, and the San Francisco Opera, as well as at the City's formal Black & White Ball. She's also wowed audiences at a number of blues festival stages around the country and built a strong reputation as a consummate performer.

Click for E.C. Scott Video of "Sledge Hammer"          Click Picture above for E.C. Scott website
Click HERE for a medley of cuts from The Other Side of Me CD (Songs will download in a new window)

James "Super Chikan" Johnson--
The Blues Foundation (www.Blues.org) announced the 2011 Blues Music Award nominations, and Super Chikan is once again nominated for BB King Entertainer of the Year and Traditional Blues Male Artist of the Year. 

Last year Super Chikan won Traditional Blues Album of the Year for Chikadelic, and had received four nominations-- BB King Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year for "Fred's Dollar Store", Traditional Blues Album for Chikadelic, and Traditional Blues Male Artist.

In 1997 “Super Chikan” released his debut album, Blues Come Home to Roost, influenced by such musicians as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, and Chuck Berry. He went on to release What You See in 2000, Shoot That Thang in 2001, Chikan Supe  in 2005, Sum Mo Chikan in 2008, and Chikadelic in 2009, which was awarded the 2010 Blues Music Award for Traditional Blues Album.

Welcome To Sunny Bluesville, Super Chikan's latest CD, was recorded at XM / Sirius Satellite Radio's state-of-the-art performance studio in Washington, DC. It features both Chikan solo and with his band, The Fighting Cocks. 

In the Clarksdale area, "Super Chikan" is probably best-known for performing regularly at Morgan Freeman's Ground Zero blues club, and for being Freeman's favorite blues performer. “Super Chikan” has toured and performed at festivals in Africa, Iceland, Japan, UK, Denmark, Canada, Mexico, Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia and Switzerland, and has performed for the President of the United States. He was recently nominated by the Blues Foundation, for his second year in a row, the Blues Music Awards for BB King Entertainer of the Year and Traditional Male Blues Artist.

Last year, he was honored with four nominations, including BB King Entertainer of the Year, Song of the Year for "Fred's Dollar Store", Traditional Blues Male Artist, and he won the BMA for Traditional Blues Album of the Year for Chikadelic. He was previously nominated for the Best New Artist Blues Music Award in 1998, and has received five Living Blues Critics Awards. In 2004, “Super Chikan” received the Mississippi Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts.

Click for Super Chikan Video          Click Picture above for James "Super Chikan" Johnson website
Click HERE for the Super Chikan song Fred's Dollar Store (Songs will download in a new window)

Vasti Jackson--
What does BB King, The Grammys, Harry Connick, jr., Martin Scorsese, Wynton Marsalis, Cassandra Wilson, and Irma Thomas have in common? Vasti Jackson!

Vasti Jackson is a soulful world renown guitarist, and vocalist whose presence captures an audience the moment he takes the stage.

Vasti (pronounced Vast-Eye) Jackson is a consummate performer, songwriter, arranger, and producer. From his early beginnings playing in church, and juke joints in McComb, Mississippi, to festivals, Concerts, and theatres around the world. Vasti move effortlessly from Blues to Soul to Jazz to Funk to gospel, and beyond.

Vasti's talent has been enlarged by an amazing array of musical experiences over 35 years of his vibrant career.

Jackson's Recordings "No Borders to the Blues", "Live In Nashville" and "Mississippi Burner" present audio buffet of Vasti´s limitless energy and boundless imagination. It spotlights his talents as singer, and composer, and his utterly thrilling guitar mastery.

Rooted in the music of Mississippi, and Louisiana Vasti Jackson recorded on B.B. King's Grammy award winning Blues Summit in 1994. In the 1980s and early 1990s Vasti was session guitarist for Malaco Records (Mississippi) and Alligator Records (Chicago). Musical director, and guitarist ZZ Hill, Johnnie Taylor, Denise LaSalle, Little Milton, Bobby Bland, and Swamp queen Katie Webster. He also worked with gospel greats - including the Williams Brothers, The Jackson Southernaires, and Daryl Coley.

Festivals and international tours have taken him to Japan, Germany, France, Greece, South Africa, Holland, Sweden, Poland, Uruguay, Argentina, Spain, Switzerland, Italy, Sicily, Norway, Finland, England, Ireland, Tunisia, Uruguay, Brazil, and Portugal.

Vasti Jackson has been featured in Guitar Player Magazine, Living Blues, Nothing But the Blues, Juke Blues (England), Blues Revue, and many other publications. He has performed on Dan Akroyd's House of Blues Radio Hour, the Starz Encore Network, WGN-TV in Chicago, and PBS. He has performed, written, produced, and recorded music for HBO, VH1, Mississippi Educational Television, the British Broadcasting Corp. (BBC), and radio and television programs in Australia, Uruguay, Finland, and Canada.

Vasti Jackson is professionalism at its best. He is a combination of talent, broad experience and versatility. His soulful and energetic performance takes audiences on a journey they will never forget.

Click for Vasti Jackson video          Click Picture above for Vasti Jackson website
Click HERE for a medley of cuts from the No Border to the Blues CD (Songs will download in a new window)

The Chicago Blues Reunion --
The CHICAGO BLUES REUNION is a collaboration of Chicago music legends who defined the sound of their generation in the 1960’s – and helped create the historic transition in popular music from acoustic folk to electric blues-influenced rock. A who’s who of blues lovers’ household names, Chicago Blues Reunion members include Barry Goldberg, Nick “The Greek” Gravenites, Harvey “The Snake” Mandel, Corky Siegel, with backing by a band of top flight pros including Gary Mallaber, Sam Lay and Rick Reed.  NOTE:  Harvey Mandel will not be appearing at Riverfront because of prior commitments of his band Canned Heat.

In the early 1960’s, a small group of white teenage musicians fell in love with the blues. Barry Goldberg (Hammond B-3), Nick “The Greek” Gravenites (vocals/guitar), Harvey “The Snake” Mandel (guitar) and Corky Siegel (harmonica/vocals) were drawn to the small clubs in the city's toughest neighborhoods, where Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Little Walter and others held court nightly. These young musicians were accepted and mentored by their larger-than-life heroes, and over the last 50 years have gone on to bring the blues - in its traditional form and in the new ones they created from it to audiences worldwide.

In the late 60’s, as each of these musicians went on individually to bring the blues to the rest of the country, as they exploded on the music scene as solo artists and in groups like The Electric Flag, Goldberg Miller Blues Band, Siegel-Schwall Band, Canned Heat, Charlie Musselwhite's South Side Band, and John Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. All their paths zigzagged from the major rock palaces like the Fillmore, and festivals like Woodstock, Monterey, and Newport, they ran parallel, then crossed again. The spark they struck all those years ago always stayed lit, whatever they did, wherever they went.

Muddy Waters, Howlin Wolf and Little Walter are all gone. Now Barry, Nick, Harvey and Corky, who once learned lessons at the feet of the blues masters, are the tribal elders. Now they are the ones with years of experience, stories to tell, and wisdom to impart – and on whose shoulders blues stand. Today, they've joined forces as Chicago Blues Reunion, an all-star collaboration of Chicago music legends who defined the sound of their generation in the 1960's. Find out more about the members of CBR.

Click for Chicago Blues Reunion Video of "Buried Alive in the Blues"          Click above for CBR website
Click for ANOTHER Chicago Blues Reunion Video of "Born in Chicago"
Click for ANOTHER CBR Video of "Drinkin' Wine"

April Mae & the June Bugs -
Roots Baby Roots! Now that's what I'm talkin' 'about!

April Mae & the June Bugs are an exciting new group drawing on the talents of some very special musicians.

The idea of April Mae & The June Bugs started as a musical fantasy on the night of a blue moon. Somewhere on the side of a mountain in Boone, NC...after April's ramblings into the deep south while on mini-tours with her blues-fusion group South Saturn Delta. As lead vocalist and songwriter, along with Dave 'Catfish' Fecca, April and Dave toured Memphis, Mexico and were 2009 Emerging Artist finalists at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas. Their original songs enjoying airplay nationally and internationally, while receiving CD reviews in France, Germany, Belgium and Norway. No small feat for these South Jersey born natives.

As I was sayin'...all this ramblin' down south inspired April to dig deeper into American Roots music...adding rockabilly, swing, gospel, bluegrass and boogie influences to her deeply rooted blues style. When close friend, cigar-box guitar builder and songwriter, Gerry Thompson invited April Mae and Catfish to quickly fill an opening on his NJ Cigar Box Festival bill...the stage was set!

Hankering after the idea of indulging in a rootsy, spunky, eclectic set...featuring upright bass! April invited upright bassist and songwriter JJ Cullpepper fill the gig. JJ had impressed both April and Dave with his expressive and exceptional musicianship. April Mae & The June Bugs was born.

They all had so much fun that night...it was infectious! And FUN is what music is supposed to be about after all!

Stay tuned...join the mailing list, friend them on facebook, and be a part of the musical adventure. Expect to have a good time, because you will! Feel that Boogie!

June Bugs Video          Click Picture above right for the June Bugs website

Gary Allegretto-
"Gary Allegretto is one of the finest harp players you'll hear" and "one of the classiest acts in the music business today, working only with the best backup musicians and taking the time to craft music noted not only for its quality but for its authenticity… real Blues.”
          ~Robert Fontenot, Blues Revue Magazine

"This is honest music crafted from inspiration, talent, and skills, delivered at a high level of accomplishment.”  ~Bob Margolin, Renowned Bluesman from Muddy Waters Band

“... Allegretto sings with a natural storytelling appeal that’s easy to understand. His harmonica gives the program a zest that ensures magnetic forces. One listen and you’re under his spell.  One listen and his audience is sold on pure blues with a message that comes from the heart."   ~Jim Santella, Southland Blues Magazine

"That boy can really blow that harp!"   ~The Legendary Pinetop Perkins
 

"Gary recieved this year's
2011 Blues Foundation
'Keeping the Blues Alive'
award for education and
was as deserving as any recipient
in history. His efforts in music
education are second to none..."  
~American Blues News

Click for Gary Allegretto Video          Click Picture above left for the Gary Allegretto website

Blue Cat Blues Band -
Wilmington native sons and the city's own
"Juke Joint Blues Party" takes the Riverfront stage for a return
performance to get the crowd jumpin' & hollerin'!
This is good-time, party music that gets your foot to tapping
and booty to wiggling.  Expect some great harmonica blues
from this four man music explosion.  Paul "BIG CAT" Ruggiero - Guitar/Vocals /// Andrew "The Professor" Vincent - Harmonica/Vocals /// Todd "The Hotshot" Whitaker - Bass /// Chris "The Heavy Hitter" Sherlock on Drums.  Don't miss them!

Click Picture above left for the Blue Cat Blues MySpace website     

Mikey jr. & the Stone Cold Blues -
When blues forums toss your name around with the likes of harmonica masters like Little Walter and Sonny Boy...that has to mean something.

Of course, there will always be skeptics; but to the blues fans of the northeast United States, there is no doubt that at just 26 years old, Mikey Jr. is chasing the masters at a pace that’s frightening.

Growing up on the tough streets of Trenton, New Jersey, Mikey Jr. is a self-taught prodigy. With his impressive collection of vintage tapes, cd’s and videos, Mikey spent the better part of his youth immersing himself in the world of blues music. By the time he was twenty-one, he was already a road-tested player, making even ardent blues purists, take notice.

Since that time, Mikey Jr. has released an impressive four cd’s as well as a documentary DVD. He’s been praised by blues societies as well as players for his original take on ‘old school’ styles and his latest release, ‘Look Inside My Pocket’ is being hailed as a watershed effort by the blues community.

Mikey Jr. never set out to re-write the pages of blues history, but through his true love of the music and his undying dedication to the masters that came before him, it seems all but certain that Mikey Jr. will scribe his name in the annals of blues history - right along side the very masters that influence his every performance.

Mikey and his great band represented the Diamond State Blues Society at this year's Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge in Memphis in January.  Click below to see a video of their performances from that event.

Click for Mikey jr. Video          Click Picture above right for the Mikey jr. website

Flamin' Harry & the Road House Rockers -
Long considered the premier blues rock guitarist on the East Coast, Flamin' Harry Mc Gonigal and his band, The Roadhouse Rockers, comprised of Alan OBrien on bass and Billy Wear on drums are a cohesive trio that deliver a powerful brand of progressive blues rock-- guitar driven with a blues attitude and a signature sound.

After seeing Harry in action, one can readily understand George Thorogood calling him "the most underrated guitar player in North America." Jon Takiff, music critic for the Philadelphia Daily News says "The Flamin' Harry Band has a sound coherent of the classic trios like Cream and the Jimi Hendrix Experience.

Flamin' Harry was nominated for many Phila music awards including best independent release, street beat, and Best of Phila. For several years running Harry was a member of the WMMR ALL-Star band! He was also given the 1997 "Keeping The Blues Alive" award by the Bucks County Blues Society. Harry is also a member of the Bucks County Blues Society advisory board. What started as a young boy who loved the blues has evolved into one of the most innovative bluesrock stylist in the world. Harry's finger picking style has been often copied but never duplicated and his live performances have become legendary. Be sure not to miss the uncompromising bluesrock guitar work and performances of Rev. Flamin' Harry and the Roadhouse Rockers. 

The Rev. Flamin' Harry. His dues are paid in full. After 40 years of performing he's getting his due. He invented the phrase "the rockin' Blues". Now known as Blues rock. He's not 16 and he doesn't play a strat. Before Stevie Ray, Kenny Wayne, and Johnny Lang there was the Real Deal, the Lean, Mean Rockin' Blues Machine! The Rev. Flamin' Harry. Now with the Roadhouse Rockers. A Blues Rock power trio that defines the word! ...Ron Van Hart, Heavy Heat Records.

Eugene Pitts of Audio Magazine just reviewed Hot, Blue & Righteous, at left, and he says " 'A' for Sound, 'A' for Performance!" "Blazing Guitar Work!" " Adrenaline rush with the hair on the back of my neck stickin' straight up!" " Move over Slowhand (Clapton), Flamin' Harry's here!"

Click for Flamin' Harry Video          Click Picture above left for the Flamin' Harry website

S - In

Johnny Sansone - 
Sansone has established himself as a practitioner of hardcore wrecking-ball power Chicago blues, with his massive harmonica tone recalling Windy City giants Big Walter and Little Walter. Guitar virtuoso Ronnie Earl tapped Sansone as the frontman for his band the Broadcasters for a stretch in the late '80s, where the pair backed giants Jimmy Rogers, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Hubert Sumlin, and Pinetop Perkins. Sansone also mined the blueprint of Arkansas legend Sonny Boy Williamson II, blowing piercing country-blues squalls with unwavering authority.

When Sansone hit Louisiana, he connected with the source of the Gulf Coast sounds that also inspired him: the R&B of Guitar Jr. (AKA Lonnie Brooks), the bilingual zydeco and blues of Clifton Chenier, and the deep swamp sounds of Excello bluesmen Slim Harpo and Lazy Lester. Those touchstones crystallized on Sansone's 1997 Bullseye CD Crescent City Moon, a Louisiana song cycle that displayed Sansone's burgeoning accordion skills, insightful songwriting, and new musical vision. In addition to heaps of glowing national press, the album struck a chord with New Orleans listeners, and won blues album of the year and song of the year (for the title track) from New Orleans music magazine Offbeat.

SINCE THEN........ Johnny has joined the hierarchy of New Orleans musicians and is a regular featured Artist appearing with Cyril Neville and Tab Benoit and together with the two is a founder of the Voice of the Wetlands Allstars which feature Dr John, Big Chief Monk Boudreaux, Anders Osborne, Johnny Vidacovich, and Meter's George Porter Jr.

TODAY........ Johnny is putting the finishing touches on his new Anders Osborne
produced recording. The record features Galactic's Stanton Moore on drums, Anders Osborne on Guitar, and Johnny presenting a fresh angle on the great roots music tradition.

Click for Johnny Sansone Video         Click Picture above for Johnny Sansone website
Click HERE for the song Louisiana Funk from the Voice of the Wetlands CD (Songs will download in a new window)

Tab Benoit--
In 1991, Tab Benoit was hired by Justice Records to contribute songs to a compilation record called STRIKE A DEEP CHORD: "Guitarist for the Homeless." The record featured Dr. John, Odetta, Gatemouth Brown, Sue Foley, Ronnie Earl, the late Johnny Copeland, and Tab Benoit all recorded tracks for the project . The record's proceeds were to benefit Houston's homeless, the city where the label had it's offices. Tab recorded two tracks "Nice and Warm" and "Bone Pickin" for the record and was immediately signed to Justice .

The very next year in 1992 these two tracks would lead Tab's national debut recording and Tab became the break-out roots Artist of the decade. Radio began playing his music on the same commercial stations that were playing the popular acts of the day such as The Dave Matthew's Band, Spin Doctors, Blues Traveler, Big Head Todd and the Monsters. It was the first time since the death of the Stevie Ray Vaughn that a new roots Artist was receiving heavy rotation on commercial Rock radio stations across the country.

Since his debut in 1992 Tab has recorded with Junior Wells, Willie Nelson, Billy Joe Shaver, James Cotton, Cyril Neville, Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Henry Gray, and Jimmy Hall of Wet Willie to name a few and now fifteen solo recordings, three Grammy nominations, and a budding movie career.  Later it may be his work as a wetlands activist that he will most be remembered but until then it is his rich tone, soulful voice, and seeped with tradition song-writing that makes him Louisiana's #1 Roots music export.

Click for Tab Benoit Video of "When a Cajun Man gets the Blues"     Click Picture above for Tab's website
Click HERE for a medley of cuts from the new Beniot Medicine CD (Songs will download in a new window)

The Lowrider Band-
The Lowrider Band consists of four of the five surviving original core group members of the multi-platinum selling band War: Howard E. Scott, B.B. Dickerson, Lee Oskar, and Harold Brown plus Chuk Barber on Percussion and Lance Ellis on Sax.

Bolero of the Lowrider Band...

"Once Upon a Time in The West," there was a septet out of South Central Los Angeles that was not afraid to inhale - to soak up the vibrations and the multi-cultural make-up of its surrounding community. Like a mirror held up to the light, they refracted the sensual and joyful lopes of the Latin diaspora, the earthy blues of the Black Experience, the rootsy fruit of the Afro-Cuban contingent and (via their Danish soul mate on harmonica) the enchanting melodies of a not-so-distant promised land. Bound by brotherhood and sense of purpose, these men hand-crafted a conscience-scalding musical melting pot, churning out worldwide ..70s million-sellers such as "The World is a Ghetto," "Slippin' into Darkness," "The Cisco Kid," "Low Rider" and the anthem "Why Can't We Be Friends."

Their albums were jazz-soaked travelogue soundtracks that reacquainted listeners with the four cornered rooms of their minds, teasing their imaginations with tales of outlaws and senoritas from the River Niger to Far Out places in space. Their songs sprang from communal jams in which seeds and stems were sown into soul symphonies. And each member contributed his singular element to its essence: the crack cadences of Harold Brown's trap drums, the winding bass lines of B.B. Dickerson, the taproot sting of Howard Scott's wicked guitar, the soaring solos and peppery tandem lines of Charles Miller's saxophones and flutes and Lee Oskar's tangy harmonica, the ancient mystic rumblings of Papa Dee Allen's congas and timbales, and the rhapsodic tapestry of Lonnie Jordan's keyboards.

Ruthlessly, time has taken its toll on this musical Magnificent Seven. Miller and Allen transitioned to the next life. Meanwhile, Jordan tours with an army of recruits under "the name" that is recognized the world over. However, it is the remaining quartet of S.O.B.s - Scott, Oskar, Brown and Dickerson - which harnesses the true essence that the band has long represented - the unity, the harmony and the righteous fury that was at such ironic odds with "the (3-letter) name" they were saddled with for so long. Reborn as "The Lowrider Band" (with new members Lance Ellis on sax, Keith Vinet ..boards and Chuk Barber on percussion), the funkiest jam band in the galaxy is riding back into town in a drop top Caddy and on a mission: to stake their rightful claim as the indisputable authorities of authentic All Day Music.

Click for Lowrider Band Video of "Lowrider"          Click Picture above for Lowrider Band website
Click for ANOTHER Lowrider Band Video of "Ordinary Man"

Venom Blues -
The Mid-Atlantic's hottest Blues band performing original work and remakes of Blues greats suchas Muddy Waters, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, The Chambers Brothers and other Bluesegends.  Venom Blues rolls out seriously smokin' Blues tracks that will have you out on the floorand "stompin' yo' feet."  This ain't your Grandma's Blues, so come prepared to hear a little something special and don't be surprised if you get bit - by the seduction that is "The Blues!"

With the understanding that The Blues is an art form that deserves serious attention to detail, The Blues also leaves a lot of room for interpretation and innovation.  Venom Blues carries thatone step further into today's music scene with a bit more edge and a lot more energy.  The musical dynamics and variety of styles presented at a Venom Blues show always leaves the crowd"wantin' mo," so c'mon down y'all, don't be shy - give Venom Blues a try!

Venom Blues was formed in late 2005 by veterans of the Delaware and Northeast music scene
who collectively have well over a hundred years of musical experience.  They were brought together
by an extreme desire to rekindle the flames of the artistry known as The Blues and carry it forward
to a new generation.  Delaware has seen its share of the best Blues musicians that have toured
the world.  Venom Blues seeks to carry on that tradition, so keep your eyes open - the Blues can
strike real fast!

Click for Venom Blues video          Click Picture above left for the Venom Blues website

Pete Gumbo and Zydeco A-Go-Go -
"Let the Good Times Roll" with Zydeco a-Go-Go!  Creole Zydeco and Cajun 2 steps mix with funky New Orleans Rhythm & Blues and vintage Louisiana Rock & Roll into a spicy gumbo of irresistible dance music, gar0on0teed gonna get everybody dancing!

Zydeco a-Go-Go, the Mid-Atlantic's premier practitioners of Louisiana dance music, are bringing the zydeco party to the people.  Their motto is: "Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler!" or "Let the Good Times Roll!"  At the heart of any Zydeco a-Go-Go song is the classic zydeco sound of accordion and frattoir (rubboard) augmented by saxophone, electric guitar, electric bass and drums.  Cajun 2-steps blend with Creole zydeco and classic New Orleans rhythm & blues in a spicy gumbo of Louisiana dance music.  Their performances feature lyrics sung in English, Spanish, Cajun and Creole French, set to a beat that keeps people dancing all night long.

Although based in Philadelphia, the group has garnered praise for its authentic Louisiana sound.  When playing a gig at the legendary Rock & Bowl in New Orleans, they kept the crowded dance floor busy, with lots of smiling faces everywhere.  KBON, a popular radio station in Eunice, LA (the heart of Cajun country) put the group's debut CD into its daily rotation.  Music from that CD was used in the soundtrack for ABC News' Earth Day 2000 that was broadcast worldwide during a segment documenting the effects of global warming in Louisiana.  In other parts of the nation as well as Europe, the CD has found an appreciative audience on progressive radio stations.

   Click for Zydeco A-Go-Go Video          Click Picture above right for the Zydeco A-Go-Go website