HOLYWOOD'S HOUSE OF BLUES LAUNCHES ALL AGES LIVE BLUES SERIES FEATURING SOCAL'S FINEST TALENT IN THEIR CROSSROADS RESTAURANT

(WEST HOLLYWOOD) - In a development that is guaranteed to make Southern California's fiercely loyal and ever-growing Blues community jump for joy, the House of Blues/Sunset is presenting a new, all-ages, Blues Concert Series in its second floor Crossroads Restaurant and Concert Hall. Guitar slingers Big Shot Reub and the Reloaders (Friday, February 24) and Dave Widow And the Lineup (Saturday, February 25) kick off this weekend's lineup, followed by blues harpist Papa J & Friends (Saturday, March 3) and guitar ace Jay Gordon & Blues Venom (Saturday, March 10). No cover charge for any of these shows. 8:30-11:30 p.m. 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. Info: (323) 848-5100 or www.houseofblues.com. San Diego's Big Shot Reub and the Reloaders, featuring the virtuoso guitar work of Reuben Vigil (pictured), perform at the House of Blues' Crossroads this Friday, Feb. 24. Dave Widow & The Lineup feature some of the best musicians in the 'Biz. Catch Widow (pictured) at HOB/Sunset this Saturday night, February 25. (Fri. Feb. 24) - Big Shot Reub and The Reloaders' ROUNDHOUSE BLUES, a San Diego Music Awards 2011 "Best Blues Album" nominee, has received very positive media response since its release. "I plopped this CD into the player and hoped for the best, and low and behold I was pleasantly surprised just how good of an album "Roundhouse Blues" turned out to be," writes BLUES UNDERGROUND. "Talk about some classy blues...this is the stuff you look long and hard for. If you like virtuoso guitar this is one album you need to get!," opines CASHBOX magazine. "On "Roadhouse Blues," Vigil moves flawlessly and tastefully across the frets to produce a very high quality product for any discerning ear to enjoy," asserts BLUESROCKERS. http://www.reverbnation.com/bigshotreubandthereloaders. (Sat. Feb. 25) - With his unique style of finger picking and distinct vocals, guitarist Dave Widow (whose new album LONG GONE drops this Spring) brings a fresh approach to the Blues, while also combining elements of R&B, Funk, Soul and Rock. His musical style is influenced by his relationship with many great blues and R&B talents, including Buddy Miles, Bonnie Bramlett, Bill Champlain, Lonnie Mack, and his mentor and collaborator (the late) Roger "Jellyroll" Troy, bassist and vocalist for The Mike Bloomfield Band. "Dave Widow and the Lineup do an amazing job channeling the authenticity of Blues, covering influential legends like Taj Mahal and T-Bone Walker, without compromising their own style," wrote respected trade publication MUSIC CONNECTION in a recent live show review. "Dave Widow and the Lineup deserve a spot on the '1,000 Bands To See Before You Die' List," the magazine concludes. www.davewidow.com. Harp maestro Papa J (pictured), also founder of the yearly Real Blues Festival of Orange County, and his band take the stage at the House of Blues/Sunset on Saturday, March 3. Guitarist Jay Gordon & Blues Venom (pictured) has been referred to as "the Yngwie Malmsteen of the Blues." Catch his powerhouse playing style at HOB/Sunset on Saturday, March 10. (Sat. March 3) - Real Blues Festival of Orange County founder/harpist-vocalist Papa J & Friends come to the House of Blues/Sunset for a special night of high-energy Blues, performing songs from their just-release album, THE BIG SHOW. "A good solid blues album...there are actually a few of my modern blues favorites on here and Papa J has his own take on them. Very cool!," affirms BMANS BLUES REPORT. Casey Reagan of the AMERICAN BLUES NEWS writes, "coming up on sixty years of age, Papa J still bounces on stage every night with the energy of a guy half his age. A showman by nature and musician by instinct Papa J's stage presence and energy is undeniably huge to anyone who's seen him perform. From his contagious smile to his gut wrenching blues he puts a thousand percent into making every performance mean something special to every person watching and it sure works on me." www.papajandfriends.com. (Sat. March 10) - Take the primal wail of American Blues and amplify them beyond the point with no limitations. Jay Gordon continues to shake planet earth with his onslaught of Electric Voodoo Blues. When you listen to BLUES VENOM - NO CURE you will see how Jay has moved the blues forward to the 21st century, infusing the music with the fire and power of rock while carving out his own place in the music world. BVNC features songs like, Dockery's Plantation (for Robert Johnson), World Blues, Slow Burn/Biker Mama, Red Hot Tempered Woman and more, even a bonus track in honor of the late great Phillip Walker. "Getting bit by Jay Gordon's BLUES VENOM - NO CURE is similar to Peter Parker getting bit by a radioactive spider. There is no cure, but that's a good thing," states the world's #1 authority on such matters, BLUES REVUE. "As solid as a blues album can be, and I consider one of the best I have heard this year," the review concludes. www.jaygordonandthepenetrators.com.