Blind Pig Records artist: Sena Ehrhardt - Live My Life - New Release Review

I just received the newest release (September 2, 2014), Live My Life, from Sena Ehrhardt. Opening with pop country rocker, The Stakes Have Gone Up, Sena, who is a serious vocalist is joined by lead guitarist Cole Allen for what would be an opening radio hit. Things You Shouldn't Need To Know opens with twin guitar lead of Allen and Smokin' Joe Kubek. Rick Roussell lays down a nice bass line and Paul Peterson adds a nice drum rhythm. Kubek steps up on this track with a cool slide solo as well. Classic R&B track, Slow Down, gets a nice rework for one of the most enjoyable tracks on the release. Joined by St. Paul Peterson on bass and Michael Bland on drums this track has spunk. On Leon Russell's Help Me Through The Day, Ehrhardt puts her soul into this solid ballad. Bruce McCabe add some real nice key work on this track and is joined by Jimi "Primetime" Smith on rhythm guitar allowing a nice space for Allen to lay down a smokey guitar solo. Title track, Live My Life, has a funky feel with a definite pop edge. Allen throws down a short but blistering guitar solo to ice this track. Chilled To The Bone is an easy rocker with a catchy melody and smooth rhythms. Allen sits back on the track but does lay in some nice guitar riffs complimenting Ehrhardt's strong vocals. Too Late To Ask has a bluesy feel with Ehrhardt and Allen sharing lead vocals. This is probably the hot track for radio play with all of the right components for broad appeal. Funky rocker, Everybody Is You, has a real nice groove and Ehrhardt gets right into it. I particularly like Allen's attack on guitar on this track. Albert Collin's If Trouble Was Money drags Ehrhardt into the grit and she is right on it. The bluesiest track on the release, Allen takes his guitar for a nice ride... very cool! Did You Ever Love Me At All is another pop rocker with a bit of sting. Allen on second lead vocal is a nice contrast to Ehrhardt and again with rugged guitar work gives the track a bit more edge. Wrapping the release is Come Closer, an easy country ballad. Overall this is a fairly pliable release with a little something for everyone. A number of the tracks should appeal to broad audience and the release is fairly consistent in style.

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New release, video from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt

NEW ALBUM, VIDEO FROM SINGING SENSATION SENA EHRHARDT “Sena Ehrhardt's voice cannot get any more powerful, range-defying, and throwback cool. Truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time. "  - Living Blues  Blind Pig Records has released the latest album from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life (streets Sept. 2).  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule) it features Sena's all-new band lineup of hard-driving, top-flight musicians. Sena has emerged as one of the freshest and most engaging young voices on the blues scene today, recently opening concerts for the likes of B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Gregg Allman, and the late Johnny Winter.  Live My Life further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. After serving as her band’s lead guitarist and songwriting collaborator through her first two releases, Sena’s father stepped aside earlier this year.  Now, with a new release, and a powerful new band behind her, Sena is looking forward to exciting opportunities on the horizon to wow audiences nationally and internationally as she continues to come into her own as a vocalist, songwriter and entertainer. “Working in the studio with producer David Z. at the helm was a dream come true. His catalog of work has been, in some ways, a soundtrack of my life – ranging from Prince to Jonny Lang. In the studio he brought inspired and emotional performances out of myself, my band and the guest musicians on my album. It was truly an honor to work with a creative and contemporary living legend in music. The carefully selected covers are songs that I have held dear to my heart for years, with my own spin on their classic stories and appeal. The process of writing the original compositions for this album, along with my guitarist, Cole Allen, was incredibly rewarding.” New Video Blind Pig has also released a new Sena Ehrhardt promotional video.  To watch the video of "Things You Shouldn't Need To Know," a track from the new release, please click HERE.

New Sena Ehrhardt CD and video!

NEW SENA EHRHARDT RELEASE COMING SEPTEMBER 2nd! Watch Video Sneak Preview of "Live My Life" The latest CD from singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Live My Life, will be released by Blind Pig Records on September 2, 2014.  Produced by Grammy-winner David Z. (Buddy Guy, Prince, Jonny Lang, Gov't Mule), it features Sena's all-new band lineup of energetic, hard-driving top-flight musicians. To watch a video sneak preview of the album, please click HERE. Sena Ehrhardt has emerged as one of the freshest and most dynamic emerging young voices on the blues scene today.  As the buzz about her incendiary performances at clubs and festivals has spread, heavyweight acts have begun to take notice. She’s been invited to open concerts for B.B. King, ZZ Top, Robert Cray, Dickey Betts, Johnny Winter and Gregg Allman.  Her new album, Live My Life, further confirms Sena’s ascendance to blues elite status. With her commanding stage presence, and gritty, soulfully emotional vocal prowess, Sena ranks among the very best and most versatile of current blues vocalists.  With the release of Live My Life, her expressive songwriting, and outstanding performances, the recognition and accolades for this rising star will continue to amass.   For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Blues heavyweights take notice of rising star!

SENA EHRHARDT STEPPING ONTO BIGGER STAGES! Blues Heavyweights Taking Notice Of Rising Star Big name acts in the blues world are taking notice of the rapid ascent of singer Sena Ehrhardt as one of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the current blues scene. This weekend she and her band have been invited back to open two concerts for blues icon B.B. King.  The shows in Minnesota and Iowa follow two shows earlier this year where she opened for  B.B., whom she calls "my biggest influence and idol in blues music." This summer Sena also opened a concert in Minnesota for renowned blues/rock favorites ZZ Top.  On November 15th and 16th her band will serve as the opening act for the Robert Cray Band in Riverside, Iowa.  Finally, on November 18th Sena and her guitarist, Cole Allen, will open as an acoustic duo for Southern roots rocker Gregg Allman.  Says Sena, "I am honored to have the opportunity to open for Gregg Allman.  He is a true legend in blues and rock music. Both as a solo artist and as part of the Allman Brothers, Gregg Allman has been incredibly influential in bringing blues music to the masses. We are thrilled to get to share our music with his notoriously loving and gracious fans!" "Make wasy for a rising star!," Jazz & Blues Report announced after the release of Sena's brilliant 2012 debut recording, Leave The Light On. The album won the Blues Blast Music Award for best "New Artist Debut Release" and was nominated for a Blues Music Award as "Best New Artist Debut." Her new CD, All In, delivers on that early promise and places Ehrhardt among the very best and most versatile of today's blues singers. Living Blues called her "truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time."   Sena is currently nominated for two 2013 Blue Blast Music Awards - the "Sean Costello Rising Star" award and the "Song of the Year " award for "Dreamin' or Dyin.'  She and her band will be performing at the awards ceremony on October 31st at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago. To watch a video of Sena and her dad performing an acoustic version of their "Dreamin' or Dyin" composition, please click HERE. To watch Sena's "Man Up" video, please click HERE.

Vote for the Blues Blast Music Awards!

BLUES BLAST MUSIC AWARD VOTING ENDS TOMORROW Blues fans can vote for their favorites Tomorrow, Saturday, August 31st, is your last chance to vote for the 2013 Blues Blast Music Awards.  Voting is open to anyone who is a Blues Blast magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are FREE and an automatic part of the voting process on the website. To see the list of nominees and to hear songs by the artists nominated, please click HERE.   To cast your ballot, please click here: VOTE. Blind Pig artists are well represented on the ballot: THE CASH BOX KINGS - Blues Band of the Year - Traditional Blues Album  (Black Toppin')The Cash Box Kings have been extolled by no less an authority than Charlie Musselwhite for their uncanny ability to faithfully capture the essence of post-war 1950's Chicago and Memphis blues while adding their own bravado, energy, and freshness to the mix.  In a review of their latest release,  Black Toppin', Living Blues magazine said, "Straight from the golden era of the blues comes the new album from Chicago's Cash Box Kings, featuring an impressive line-up of A-list blues players. A great record by one of the best blues bands in the land, Black Toppin' is a dancing and listening pleasure."  SENA EHRHARDT - Sean Costello Rising Star - Song of the Year ("Dreamin' or Dyin'") The buzz and the critical acclaim for this young singer has been steadily growing since the release of her debut album Leave the Light On, which won the 2012 Blues Blast Music Award for "New Artist Debut Release."  Reviewing her latest release, All In, Living Blues said, "Sena Ehrhardt's voice cannot get any more powerful, range-defying, and throwback cool. Truly one of the most dynamic young voices any genre has seen in a long time."  "Dreamin' or Dyin,'" a track from the new release, is nominated for "Song of the Year."  For a limited time, a free download of the track is available HERE.  To see a video of Sena and her dad (and her band's guitarist) performing an acoustic version of the song, please lick HERE.  SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY - Blues Band of the Year - New Artist Debut Release  (Easy Livin') - Sean Costello Rising Star (Victor Wainwright)Led by a trio of young virtuosos, (Damon Fowler on lap steel, JP Soars on guitar, and Victor Wainwright on keyboards), Southern Hospitality has crafted a highly compelling mix of Southern soul, rootsy rock, and swampy blues with echoes of Muscle Shoals and Macon.  Their debut release, Easy Livin,' was produced by Tab Benoit, who said, "Damon, Victor, and JP are the future of roots music."  At the Blues Music Awards in May, Victor Wainwright was named the winner of the prestigious "Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award." PETER KARP & SUE FOLEY - Song of the Year ("Analyze'n Blues")The "Song of the Year" nominee, "Analyze'n Blues," is a track from Beyond the Crossroads, the latest collaboration between these two noted singer-songwriter guitarists.  For a limited time, you can get a free download of the song (and other new Blind Pig tracks) by clicking HERE.  Living Blues said of the album, "As all of the songs demonstrate, great songwriting is even better with great musicianship..an inventive and buoyant collection of quality songs with great blues feeling."  To watch a new video of Peter and Sue performing "Analyze 'n Blues," please click HERE. DEANNA BOGART - Female Blues ArtistRecognized for her dazzling keyboards, soulful saxophone, smoky vocals and cut-above songwriting, Deanna Bogart is also perennially popular for engaging her audience with her firecracker stage performances.  The multi-award-winning  musician combines the best of boogie-woogie, contemporary blues, country and jazz into a splendid blend she calls "blusion."  Critics loved Deanna's latest release, Pianoland, which spotlights her considerable keyboard skills. Blurt said,"Once in a rare while an album comes along that just captures you with its beauty, creativity and magic. Pianoland is a masterpiece of blues healing. At times listening to this album is like listening to Coltrane or Monk for the first time." JOHN NÉMETH - Male Blues ArtistSince bursting onto the scene in 2007, John Németh has wowed critics and audiences alike with his riveting vocals and harmonica prowess.  Winner of the 2010 "Most Outstanding Blues Singer" Living Blues Award, Németh has established a reputation as a singer and entertainer of the highest order, racking up five Blues Music Award nominations this year.  His latest Blind Pig release, Name The Day!, is another timeless slice of American music.  Drawing on the classic blues, soul, and R&B influences that inform his stunning vocal style, John's spine-tingling vocals echo the toughness of James Brown and the tenderness of Solomon Burke.   Blues Blast Music Award winners will be announced at ceremonies held at Buddy Guy's Legends in Chicago on October 31, 2013.

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Father-Daughter blues team - video

With Father's Day on the horizon, there's one Father-Daughter blues team out there that's currently attracting a lot of attention on the national scene. Singer Sena Ehrhardt and her father, Ed Ehrhardt, lead guitarist in her fast-rising band, were interviewed recently on public television station KSMQ in Minnesota. They speak of their shared love of the blues, perform "Baby Valentine," one of the songs they wrote together, and discuss creating and performing together.  To watch the short video segment, please click HERE. They also talk about their unusual but rewarding on-stage/off-stage father-daughter relationship.  When asked what it's like to have her dad in the band, Sena sums it up well: "It's just a blessing for me." Sena and Ed's collaborative songwriting and the subtle interplay of her soulful vocals with her father's bold, empathetic lead guitar are featured on Sena's award-winning 2012 Blind Pig debut, "Leave the Light On" and on her newest release, "All In."   These recordings from one of the most dynamic emerging blues voices have quickly placed Sena Ehrhardt among the most versatile and dynamic of current blues vocalists...and made her Dad proud.

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Blind Pig artist: Sena Ehrhardt - All In - New Release Review

I just received the new release, All In, from Sena Ehrhardt and parts of it are quite amazing. Opening with Buried Alive, Ehrhardt shows her vocal range and seductive singing style. Edward Ehrhardt on guitar plays some smokin' hot guitar riffs elevating the track from a radio play to a "check it out". On All In, a little funk gets stirred into the ballad stew allowing Sena to show a little more depth in her vocal talents. Cold Cold Feeling digs in for winter and E Ehrhardt chokes a real nice intro out of his axe. This track sets up nicely to showcase a bit more substance in Sena's vocal contributions. All of the tracks are solid but a strong track really helps to pull the best from the young artist. Although Sena's vocal style does not really mimic Janis Joplin, the style of this track elicits a bit of the feeling created when listening to old Big Brother tracks, with stylistically creative and frenzied guitar soloing, solid backing from Harold Smith (rhythm guitar), Dave Smith (Bass), Steve Potts (drums) and Sena's rich voice. On Live and Learn, E Ehrhardt sets a nice stage again on guitar ala Freddie King or T Bone Walker and Sena dances lightly between easy vocals and solid brass. On Man Up, a Texas style blues rocker with plenty of double stops and band makes a radio rocker with a solid dance beat, a taste of guitar and a vocal hook to get things rolling. Storm's Coming is a slower blues track but with a soft vocal edge. I am really enjoying E Ehrhardt's guitar work on this track. I know that the recording is supposed to be about Sena, but Edward's work is very strong and I gotta tell it like it is. So Excited is an interesting track with time changes and a pretty decently long guitar solo showing that E Ehrhardt really knows his Texas blues riffs. Finishing up with Dreamin' or Dyin', a solid R&B track which plays nicely into Sena's hand. E Ehrhardt and Smith both play some sonically interesting guitar pieces creating a euphoric backdrop for Sena to complete her set strong.

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Stratus / Born Under A Bad Sign - Sena Ehrhardt

Ehrhardt was born and raised in a house of blues. Through years of playing music in clubs and juke joints, her guitarist father, Ed Ehrhardt, laid the groundwork for a love of blues that eventually lead to the formation of the Sena Ehrhardt Band. Sena has taken those influences and several years of experience to forge her own personal and intelligent take on the blues. Though her band’s repertoire includes a wide range of blues, soul and funk cover tunes, Sena chose to record ten original compositions that she co-wrote with her father for Leave The Light On. Her songs are fresh and incisive, delivered in a style that moves effortlessly from sultry to declarative to passionately forceful. Her band – Ed Ehrhardt on guitar, bassist Steve Hansen and drummer Tim Hasler – performs flawlessly throughout, matching Sena’s drive and intensity. Of the signing, Sena said, “Growing up in a home filled with blues music and having a love and passion for blues for my entire life makes signing with Blind Pig Records a dream come true for me. This music is my heart and soul and the album is a labor of love for those who have loved me. I am so excited to see what the future holds and can’t wait to bring our music to both long-time blues fans and a new generation of listeners. The blues is about feeling – and this feels so good!”

  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 favorite band!

New videos from Sena Ehrhardt, Southern Hospitality

NEW VIDEOS FROM SENA EHRHARDT AND SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY Singer Sena Ehrhardt and blues-based Americana group Southern Hospitality have released new videos in conjunction with the March 12th release of their new albums. Sena's video is "Buried Alive," the lead track from her new album entitled All In.  To watch the video, click HERE. Ehrhardt is one of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the blues scene today.  Roots Music Report just said, "Few musical kicks rate with listening to talent on the rise and it appears that Ms. Ehrhardt is taking two stairs at a time on her way to joining the contemporary blues elite."  For more info on All In, please click here.   The video from Southern Hospitality features the song "Southern Livin'" (which some critics find reminiscent of Little Feat), live performance footage and short interview clips.  To watch the video, please click HERE. The track is from Easy Livin,' the band's new CD produced by Tab Benoit that spotlight's their fresh mix of Southern soul, rootsy rock, and swampy blues.  Richard Ludmerer of BluesWax said, "the band is far and above any I have heard lately."  For more info on Easy Livin' click here. Publicity: Debra Regur   pigpress@blindpigrecords.com   415-550-6484 Radio: Peter Robinson   radio@blindpigrecords.com    773-772-0043

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

Sena Ehrhardt opening for B.B. King

SINGER SENA EHRHARDT TO OPEN FOR B.B. KING!Rising Local Star To Perform With Her Idol Singer Sena Ehrhardt will realize a dream come true when the Sena Ehrhardt Band (which includes her father Ed on lead guitar) serves as the opening act for blues icon B.B. King on May 19th at the Mayo Civic Center in Sena's hometown of Rochester, Minnesota. Says Sena, "I grew up listening to B.B. King records and he was responsible for turning my Dad on to the blues, so he's an iconic figure for me. I consider B.B.'s Completely Well album the definition of a blues record; I continue to listen to it all the time. I just love his vocal phrasing." In fact, on her upcoming sophomore release, All In, (out on Blind Pig Records March 12th), she covers a B.B. King song from that album entitled "So Excited," which could well describe her feelings about appearing with perhaps the foremost master of the blues. Says Sena, "I get to open for B.B. King, 100% my biggest influence and idol in blues music."   Sena's brilliant 2012 debut recording, Leave The Light On, announced the arrival of one of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the current blues scene.  It won Sena the Blues Blast "Rising Star" Award and was nominated for a Blues Music Award as "Best New Artist Debut."  The album also generated widespread critical acclaim, typified by this comment from Jazz & Blues Report: "Make way for a rising star!" For her second recording, Sena has teamed up with one the foremost producers in the worlds of rock and blues (Santana, Huey Lewis, Stevie Ray Vaughan), multi-Grammy Award winner Jim Gaines.  The result of their collaboration is a groove-rich, exciting exploration of the blues in all its moods.  All In truly delivers on the promise of Leave The Light On and places Ehrhardt among the very best and most versatile of today's blues singers.

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

New Sena Ehrhardt music video

NEW SENA EHRHARDT MUSIC VIDEO Singer Sena Ehrhardt has just finished a new music video with her band. To watch "On The Clock," one of the ten original songs from her Blind Pig debut album, Leave The Light On, please click HERE. You can also see the video on Blind Pig's Facebook page. To like us on Facebook, please click HERE. One of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the blues scene today, Sena's been generating a buzz with her new release and her powerful live performances with the Sena Ehrhardt Band, which Blues Revue called "one of the hottest new blues outfits in the country." Ehrhardt forges her own personal and intelligent take on the blues, soulfully informed by her drive and intensity. Her songs are fresh and incisive, delivered in a style that moves effortlessly from sultry to declarative to passionately forceful. Fans and critics alike have taken notice. Living Blues said, "Sena Ehrhardt has a bright, soulful sound, and she doesn't hold back - she can go from sultry and coaxing to gritty and gusty in an instant," while Blues Revue added, "she is capable of crooning softly or wailing with the best of them." And, the Blues Foundation has nominated Leave The Light On for the prestigious Blues Music Award in the "Best New Artist Debut" category. Sena is also currently nominated for two Blues Blast Music Awards. She's up for the "Sean Costello Rising Star Award" while Leave the Light On is on the nomination list for best "New Artist Debut Recording." The awards are given by Blues Blast magazine and the winners are chosen by blues fans. Voting is open to anyone who is a Blues Blast magazine subscriber. Subscriptions are FREE and an automatic part of the voting process on the website. Voting is open to the public until August 31st. To vote for Sena, please click HERE.

Sena Ehrhardt at Blues Music Awards!

SENA EHRHARDT AT THE BLUES MUSIC AWARDS IN MEMPHIS! "Make way for a rising star" - Jazz & Blues Report Singing sensation Sena Ehrhardt will perform with her band just prior to the 33rd Blues Music Awards ceremony in Memphis on May 10th. They will play at 6:20 PM on the Party Stage in the Grand Lobby of the Cook Convention Center. Sena's Blind Pig release, Leave The Light On, is nominated for a Blues Music Award in the "Best New Artist Debut" category, As Blues Revue magazine put it, "The Sena Ehrhardt Band are going to make a lot of waves in the blues world and her new album is just the first ripple in a widening ocean of blues from this band...one of the hottest new blues outfits in the country." Living Blues added, "With Leave the Light On the Sena Ehrhardt Band should get the attention of blues lovers as well as a mainstream audience that appreciates good songwriting and music with a feeling." Sena offered, "I am deeply honored to be among the Blues Music Award nominees for Best New Artist Debut 2012. Thank you to the Blues Foundation for this incredible recognition. My band and I put a lot of love into our debut album on Blind Pig Records and feel so blessed to be in the company of the world's best Blues Musicians at the Blues Music Awards!" For more info, or to hear samples from the album, please click HERE. Publicity: Debra Regur pigpress@blindpigrecords.com 415-550-6484 Radio: Peter Robinson radio@blindpigrecords.com 773-772-0043

For more information visit www.blindpigrecords.com.

SENA EHRHARDT DEBUT NOMINATED FOR BLUES MUSIC AWARD!

SENA EHRHARDT DEBUT NOMINATED FOR BLUES MUSIC AWARD! The new release from vocalist Sena Ehrhardt, entitled Leave the Light On, has been nominated for a Blues Music Award in the "Best New Artist Debut" category. The powerful singer, unquestionably one of the freshest and most dynamic young voices on the blues scene today, has created a stir with her first recording. Pre-eminent blues publication Living Blues remarked, "With Leave the Light On the Sena Ehrhardt Band should get the attention of blues lovers as well as a mainstream audience that appreciates good songwriting and music with a feeling." And the Jazz and Blues Report added, "The youthful Minneapolis-based singer hits the blues turf running on her debut disc and serves up a captivating set of simultaneous fire and ice...a set of originals as fresh sounding as the voice that delivers them. Make way for a rising star." For Leave The Light On, Sena chose to record ten original compositions that she co-wrote with her father, who's also the guitarist in her band. To view performance footage of Sena, as well as comments from her and her dad, please click HERE. Sena said of the BMA nod, "I am humbled and grateful to be nominated for a Blues Music Award for Best New Artist Debut! My entire band shares in this honor and we are thrilled to be in such amazing company with the other nominated artists. I'd like to give a sincere thank you to The Blues Foundation for this very special recognition!" The Blues Music Awards, considered the most prestigious accolade in the blues field, are given annually by The Blues Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the genre. Voting ends on March 1st and is open to all members of the Blues Foundation. For information on joining (membership is only $25 a year), visit their website at www.blues.org. BMA winners will be announced on May 10th at the Awards Show in Memphis, Tennessee.