Little Village artist: Kyle Rowland - Not Holding Back! - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Not Holding Back!, from Kyle Rowland and it's super. Opening with funky blues, Convict No. 1, Kyle Roland on lead vocal and harmonica shows real feel, with blues master Johnny Burgin and his trademark style giving the track real spunk. Jim Pugh on clavinet, Ronnie James Weber on bass, June Core on drums round out the band for a solid opener. Rick Estrin's  I'll Take You Back, is up next and I really like Rowland's vocal style. Burgin is front and center again on guitar and Kid Andersen on guitar adds nicely as well. Pugh on piano, Weber on bass and Core drums set the stage but it's Rowland's harmonica that really tells the story on this one. Excellent! Burgin opens blues rocker, You Got The Nerve Of A Brass Monkey, and Pugh on piano and Mr Anson Funderburgh adds real guitar flair on this track with Weber and Core rounding out the troops. Original track, Gamblin' Blues, is one of my favorite tracks on the release with excellent vocals and with Rowland accompanying himself on raggedy ass, JL Hooker style, guitar and harmonica...this is real blues! St. Louis Jimmy Oden's Complete This Order, is terrific with Burgin and Bob Welsh adding tight guitar work and Rowland really blows it out on harmonica adding to his strong vocals. Stockton Boulevard is a cool instrumental shuffle featuring Rowland on harmonica with some stellar riffs and Justin MacCarthy on guitar. With Andersen on B3, Randy Bermudes on bass, and Myles Silveira on drums. Another favorite on the release is Junior Parker's Backtracking with it's soulful pace. Rowland was made to sing this track and his harmonica wails. Trademark guitar fanning by Burgin and Welsh on piano really kicks up the fire. Wrapping the release is a remake of traditional, This Train, and Rowland really adds the rocking blues. His harmonica work is tight as is MacCarthy's guitar work and his vocals soulful and juicy. Excellent closer for a really terrific 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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening

B.B. King Centennial Sweepstakes Launches Featuring One-of-a-Kind Gibson Custom “Lucille”

 

 

Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation Launches B.B. King Centennial Sweepstakes Featuring One-of-a-Kind Gibson Custom “Lucille” Guitar   This Is The Last Week to Donate to Win Guitar Package & Support Music Education as B.B. King Centennial Tribute Continues

 

 

The Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has announced a special fundraising sweepstakes honoring the life and legacy of B.B. King, timed to coincide with the release of B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100, the landmark centennial tribute curated by Joe Bonamassa in partnership with the B.B. King Estate. ORDER your copy of  B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 today. Donate to win this memorable prize package HERE.   At the center of the sweepstakes is an exceptionally rare, one-of-a-kind Gibson Custom Shop Lucille guitar, inspired by B.B. King’s iconic instrument and crafted exclusively for this moment. The sweepstakes has already raised more than $13,000 toward its $25,000 goal, with proceeds supporting the Foundation’s ongoing work funding music education programs, instruments, scholarships, and grants for schools across the United States. To learn more, please visit KeepingTheBluesAlive.org.   Only one Blue Sparkle Lucille Legacy model was ever made, making the guitar a museum-worthy collector’s piece. The instrument features a “How Blue Can You Get” Blue Sparkle finish, gold sparkle purfling along the headstock and body binding, and a polished brass pick guard engraved with the B.B. King Museum’s official “100 Years of B.B. King” graphic. The guitar includes a Certificate of Authenticity.   “This sweepstakes is about honoring B.B. King in a way that reflects what he stood for,” said representatives for the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation. “B.B. believed deeply in passing the music forward, and this is a tangible way to celebrate his centennial while directly supporting the next generation of musicians.”   The grand prize package includes: One (1) B.B. King Lucille Legacy ES-355 Gibson Custom Guitar with hard case, signed by Joe Bonamassa Two premium Joe Bonamassa concert tickets with a Meet & Greet voucher B.B. King’s Blues Summit 100 double CD and triple vinyl package “The King of the Blues” 100 Years commemorative pin The total prize package value is $13,804.

 

 

A $25 donation earns 15 entries, with no limit on the number of entries per participant. No purchase or donation is required to enter, and free entry options are available through the official rules.   The sweepstakes runs through February 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET Since its founding, the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation has funded more than 800 music education projects, impacting over 136,000 students nationwide. The Foundation donates weekly to schools in need, providing instruments, supplies, and resources to sustain music programs that might otherwise disappear.   The sweepstakes serve as both a celebration of B.B. King’s enduring influence and a continuation of his lifelong commitment to education, mentorship, and keeping the blues alive for future generations.   For full sweepstakes details, official rules, and entry information, visit the Keeping the Blues Alive Foundation website at KeepingTheBluesAlive.org.   For more information, please contact Jon Bleicher at Prospect PR [jon@prospectpr.com, 973.330.1711]

OA2 Records artist: Anna Kolchina - Reach For Tomorrow - New Release Review

 I just had the opportunity to review the most recent release, Reach For Tomorrow, by Anna Kolchina and it's hauntingly elegant. Opening with Schwartz and Dietz song, Dancing In The Dark, Soviet born, Anna Kolchina quietly controls your breath with her easy music gait. Accompanied by Ilya Lushtak, a beautiful opener. Peter Bernstein lends his cultured electric guitar work to Kolchina's vocals on Anthony Newley's Who Can I Turn To?. Sure footed and smooth, a very nice track. Jazz classic, All or Nothing At All, sung in understated poise, again backed by Bernstein on electric guitar is a solid addition. Romero Lubamo really adds flavor with his excellent Spanish guitar styling on Gilbert Becaud's french classic What Now My Love?. Holding to the standard, nicely done. Harry Barris' Wrap Your Trouble In Dreams is smoothly handled by Kolchina and really nice electric guitar soloing by Paul Bollenback really shines. Another elegant track is Johnny Mercer's Whistling Away The Dark with lush vocals by Kolchina and rich guitar work by Bollenback. Wrapping the release is Ella's Reach For Tomorrow. Paced down to simple tune, it has a simple luxury which well suits Kolchina's voice and Yotam Silberstein's fluid electric guitar soloing really dresses it nicely. Strong closer. 

  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”

 For added exposure - Blues World Wide Group "LIKE" 

 

“Like” Bman’s Facebook page and get support for your favorite band or venue - click HERE For your convenience, you can click the title of this post above to be taken to a site where this cd can be purchased - Happy Listening