Western Maryland Blues Fest in Hagerstown, MD

May 29–June 1 17 bands, 4 big days, $50 Fri/Sat Combo Tickets* — Best Value!  Get your tickets now! The Western Maryland Blues Fest roars into its 19th big year in Hagerstown, MD! Come celebrate with four jam-packed, jumpin’ days filled with music from national, regional & local performers! These are just some of the great artists you’ll hear throughout the festival… Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters Legendary blues guitarist Ronnie Earl brings his celebrated band back to Hagerstown for a special show. Having played alongside such greats as B. B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Muddy Waters, and Otis Rush, Ronnie’s guitar speaks with an authoritative blues voice that only a veteran player can summon! Ian Siegal & Band Be part of one of the first American audiences to hear this multiple British Blues Awards winner! Ian’s May 31 Hagerstown performance culminates his first-ever U.S. tour! Don’t miss this songwriter’s exciting new blues, conveyed in the traditional Delta blues style, all the way from across the pond! Eric Steckel Band A young blues veteran, a powerful player with an authentic blues soul, Eric is already hailed by many as one of the next big things in bluesrock! Eric Steckel is a must see and must hear for fans of SRV, Jimi Hendrix and Joe Bonamassa. Doug Macleod Performing in the tradition of the blues as a story-telling medium, acoustic guitarist, Doug MacLeod, has been nominated for THREE (3) 2014 Blues Music Awards, including Acoustic Artist of the Year, Acoustic Album of the Year and Blues Song of the Year. Giving a FREE Sunday performance in City Park, come see what all the fuss is about! Mingo Fishtrap WOW! What’s in a name? Well, this Texas-based large ensemble will give you a sweet soulful style of rhythm and blues, including plenty of horns. Describing its sound as “the space where melodic pop meets gritty Memphis soul, with a twist of N’awlins funk,” Mingo Fishtrap’s tenacious groove is central to its sanctified mission to shake your soul. 19th Annual Western Maryland Blues Fest Schedule View the full schedule here. Thursday, May 29—Blues Prelude 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. University Plaza, 50 West Washington Street, Downtown. Free admission. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged! Gates open at 4:00 p.m. ID required. No smoking venue. Don’t miss the Blues Fest Poster Art Exhibit opening, featuring this year’s artist, Matt Long! The exhibit will be held at the Washington County Arts Council at 36 South Potomac Street from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Friday, May 30—Lotta Blues Kickoff 4:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. City Center Lot, North Potomac Street. $20 in advance* and $30 at the gate. Children 12 and under free with paying adult. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. ID required. Saturday, May 31—Downtown House Party Noon to 9:30 p.m. City Center Lot, North Potomac Street. $35 in advance* and $45 at the gate. Children 12 and under free with paying adult. Gates open at 11:00 a.m. ID required. Sunday, June 1—Family Blues Picnic Noon to 5:00 p.m. City Park Bandshell. Free admission. Lawn chairs and blankets encouraged. No smoking venue. While you’re at Blues Fest…  Visit the Maxwell Street Market area of the festival for plenty of food, drink and specialty vendors.  Kids Jam, Too in the HUGE children’s area design just for them! It’s their very own playground filled with music, crafts, activities and more on Sunday.  Grab a limited 19th anniversary edition t-shirt, hat, or other Festival gear from the Blues Boutique. *Transaction fee of $5.00 per ticket applies in advance sale tickets. Schedule and artists subject to change. No chairs, coolers, food or beverages may be brought into the festival area Friday or Saturday. No animals (except service animals) and no audio/video recording permitted at any time during the festival. All packs, parcels and bags subject to inspection. Supported in part by: City of Hagerstown, Maryland State Arts Council and Washington County Arts Council.

Bayou Blues Festival

Billy Pierce Band - Take Me Back To The Delta - New Release Review

I just received the newest release, Take Me Back To The Delta, by Billy Pierce Band. Opening with Happy Home, a bluesy rocker, Pierce leads the way on slide guitar and vocals joined by Chris Miller on bass and Billy Meyers on drums. On title track, Take Me Back To The Delta, super slide man Sonny Landreth joins the crew as does Charlie Wooten (bass) and the track has a real traveling feel. Song For Sonny has a UK feel with a springy rhythm. I particularly like the slide work on this instrumental track and Johnny Digiovanni joins on drums. Waylon Thibodeaux joins on this track as well adding his brilliant fiddle work. On Broonzy's Key To The Highway, Pierce sound a bit like Rod Price on slide and Johnny Neel adds some really cool piano work as well. The addition of Craig Klein, Mark Mullins, Greg Hicks (the Bonerama horns) really add a nice flavor to this traditional track. Cajun Boy Blues is a straight up rocker with a clean crisp slide solo.... cool! Traditional New Orleans track, Jambalaya is up next and joining is Thibodeaux on fiddle and Henry Ramato on accordian. Tojo is a track loosely based on the Help Me theme. Some of Pierce's most inspired slide playing appears on the track. One of my favorite tracks on the release is Give Me A Dollar featuring the Bonerama horns on trombone as well as backing vocals. With a real New Orleans flavor the band rumbles and Pierce slides. Very nice. Rooster has an interesting rhythm with a swampy blues feel. Jimmy Carpenter adds some really nice sax work on this track. Very cool. Thibideaux opens Zydecoldsmobile with some traditional Zydeco fiddle giving Pierce a slate to perform a track that swings from New Orleans to country. Steve Ruth adds some nice accordion on this track and Pierce again hops on the slide complimenting Thibodeaux soloing. Wrapping the release is Big Joe, a swamp influenced march rock with some cool slide and a nice bass solo from Wooton. Dejembe by Jimmy Crawford and additional vocals from Garry Cogdell add to the mix, Pierce, running a vocal chant and keeping the slide on fire. 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”

THE HARPOONIST & THE AXE MURDERER ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM AND SUMMER TOUR DATES

A Real Fine Mess set for release on June 17th

“With a name like The Harpoonist and The Axe Murderer, you might be forgiven for thinking that the Vancouver-based duo is some sort of concept group based on a hypothetical love story between Captain Ahab and Lizzie Borden.” (Chris Oke, Yukon News) In reality, Shawn ‘The Harpoonist’ Hall and Matthew ‘The Axe Murderer’ Rogers evoke much more than just grisly nautical imagery. Armed with a sack of harmonicas, a mess of foot percussion, and a road-worn Telecaster, the duo kick out raw and primal blues in the tradition of a ‘decades-deep blues style’ (Scott Brown, What’s up Yukon), while infusing the genre with a jolt of renewed energy. Scheduled for release June 17, their new album, A Real Fine Mess, explores complicated dichotomies. Like how one’s life can appear successful on one hand, yet be clouded by doubt and struggles on the other and how all that is celebrated hangs in the balance with the potential to fall apart at any moment. Recently the band found themselves increasingly inspired not only by the electric ‘groove blues’ of the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s but also by the music of their peers. A wee hours stairwell jam led to vocal collaborations featured on the record and an awkwardly mis-matched festival workshop forced them to think about ‘upping their game’ as songwriters and lyricists. Recording the album came with its own challenges as the two live in different cities and much of the recording was split between Vancouver and Nanaimo. 8 float plane rides, 18 ferry trips and a barrage of text and e-mail arguments later A Real Fine Mess was born like the offspring of Zeus and a cancan dancer. Hall and Rogers have received considerable recognition in the last few years. They were nominated for four Maple Blues Awards and won 'Blues Act of the Year' at the SiriusXM Indies in 2013. The duo has also pounded their fair share of festival stages including SXSW, Winnipeg Folk Festival, Ottawa Blues Festival, Calgary Folk Music Festival, and Montreal Jazz Festival. Along the way they’ve shared the stage with Taj Mahal, Booker T Jones, David Wilcox, Mother Mother, and The Sheepdogs. They’ve also had songs featured on television shows such as the 'The Good Wife', 'Blue Bloods', and the aptly named TV movie 'Lizzie Borden Took An Axe'. Beginning June 5 the duo sets out on tour across Canada and the US and have no plans to slow down after their hectic summer of festival hopping. They’re on a continuing journey, constantly finding inspiration from musicians they meet or collaborate with. These encounters challenge them to write better music and lyrics, and to keep performing with their trademark fervor and honesty. And the result? As one fan put it, ‘is blues that gets you in the crotch’. LISTEN TO “DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THEY USED TO” HERE  TRACK LIST 01 - Black And Blue 02 - Do Watcha 03 - Tea For Two 04 - Mama’s In The Backseat 05 - Closer To Death 06 - Feel Me Now 07 - Don’t Make ‘em Like They Used To 08 - My Paradise 09 - In And Out Of Love 10 - Sweat This Pain 11 - Cry A Little 12 - In The End 13 - Act Your Age 14 - A Real Fine Noise NORTH AMERICAN SUMMER TOUR DATES Jun 5 - Minneapolis, MN - 7th Street Entry Jun 6 - Chicago, IL - Beat Kitchen Jun 7 - Champaign, IL - Highdrive Jun 8 - Goshen, IN - Ignition Music Garage Jun 10 - Cleveland, OH - Beachland Ballroom Jun 11 - Indianapolis, IN - The Slippery Noodle Jun 12 - Saint Louis, MO - Oyster Bar Jun 13-15 - Salina, KS - Smoky Hill River Festival Jul 4 - Sudbury, ON - Northern Lights Festival Jul 5-6 - Orillia, ON - Mariposa Folk Festival Jul 11 - Victoria, BC - Rock The Shores Jul 12 - Kelowna, BC - Keloha Festival Jul 17-18 - Saskatoon, SK - Ness Creek Festival Jul 24 - Toronto, ON - Dakota Tavern Jul 25-27 - Guelph, ON - Hillside Festival Aug 1-2 - Kaslo, BC - Kaslo Jazz Festival Aug 3 - Invermere, BC – Pynelogs Aug 8 - Kamloops, BC - Music in The Park Aug 9 - Burnaby, BC - Buranby Roots & Blues Aug 10 - Regina, SK - Regina Folk Festival Aug 15 - Comox, BC - Atmosphere Aug 16-17 - Winnipeg, MB - Winnipeg BBQ & Blues Festival Sep 12-14 - Fredericton, NB - Harvest Jazz & Blues Festival Sep 17-21 - Nashville, TN - Americana Music Festival Oct 4 - Chilliwack, BC - Chilliwack Cultural Centre Oct 5 - Vernon, BC - Vernon PAC Oct 8 - Winnipeg, MB - Park Theatre     MORE DATES TBA ARTIST SITE: www.harpoonistaxemurderer.com

ELROB Records artist: Little Mike & The Tornadoes - All The Right Moves - New Release review

I just received the newest release, All The Right Moves, form Little Mike & The Tornadoes and it's great! As you know I'm a real Little Mike fan and this new release is no exception. Opening with Hard Hard Way, a smokin Chicago style blues track features Little Mike on vocal and harp. Tony O. Melio plays a real nice guitar solo leading up to Mike taking over with a super harp blowout. This is a great year for harp lovers with this and Corritore's recent release being two of the best I've heard in some time. So Many Problems is a cool R&B track with a great groove. Brad Vickers (bass) and Robert Piazza (drums) seat Jim McKaba on organ for a cool ride but I really like Melio's loose guitar style and Mike comes up with some really nice harp phrasing making this a real heel bopper. Since My Mother Been Ill is a really nice slow R&B blues track featuring soulful vocals by Mike. His clear interface with Melio's punctuating guitar riffs and super piano backing from McKaba make this one of my favorite tracks on the release. Yes, Melio does step forward and lay it all out on this track...close your eyes and suck it up! Excellent! (I Got) Drunk Last Night is a cool shuffle track with a great swang. Piazza leads the pace on drums but with Mike on vocal and Melio on the ever present tasteful guitar riffs, this is entertainment! McKaba lays down some really nice piano work on this track as well. Very Nice! Little On The Side has a Latin beat with Piazza leading the way on tom tom and Melio throwing down some cool riffs. Mike has you in the palm of his hand with his vocal style but then he whips out his harp and parts your hair. His riffs aren't always over the top... but they are always top cut and clean. McKaba does have an aggressive piano style and I think that it's a great contrast to the bands tightness on this track. Title track, All The Right Moves is a real loping traditional Chicago blues. I particularly like Melio's guitar attack on this particular track. It has it's own personality and it isn't at all sterile... that's the blues! Little Mike steps up with some hot riffs of his own on this track, pushed by serious work from McKaba, Vickers, Piazza and Melio and he rides the wave. One thing that I genuinely love about this band is that everyone is a standout without any apparent "star" and sharing the spotlight, this is a really dynamic mix. Boogie track, Blues Is Killing Me has a definite trace to original Morganfield and Hooker tracks and based upon construction alone is a terrific track. Mike rides the boogie with his harp, joined by Melio on what could be an "endless boogie". Very nice! Wonder Why has a real authentic early electric blues feel to it. Being a guitar player myself, I always wonder when I hear someone play awkward phrasing like Melio if he has to work to play like that or if it comes naturally. In any case, I am envious. I really like it. All The Time has a funky R&B style with an almost James Brown thing starting to happen. Again Melio steps up and lays out some simple but wonderfully bluesy riffs on guitar. Mike keeps it all under wraps vocally and Vickers and Pizza are right there. Mike steps up and plays simple blues harp...just the way it should be. Vickers penned, jump track I Won't Be Your Fool is hot from the first note. You want the harp blowout...this is it! (Stilladog...this one's for you!)Yeah, I dare you to keep both feet on the ground during this one... if you can, check your pulse! Stuck Out On This Highway is a really sultry slow blues track. Opening with some atmospheric harp work as good as anything on the release, Mike digs deep singing a super blues track. Complimented in response by Melio on guitar, this is a really cool track. Mike uses the lower end of the harp for some deep resonate notes and has it singing. Clocking in at almost 6 minutes, this is definitely one of my favorites on the release. Wrapping it all up is Close To My Baby, an easy going 12 bar number. Reminicent of Paul Butterfield, Mike holds it back and sings the blues. Melio breaks out with another of his finely tuned guitar solos and after another chorus, Mike wraps it all up on harp. You want a recommendation for one of the coolest new Chicago blues style releases of the year...this is it!

  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”

 

Lefty Williams' ALL IN To Be Released 8/21 Via Tree Leaf Music

                                                                                                                                          

LEFTY WILLIAMS AND TREE LEAF MUSIC

ANNOUNCE AUGUST 21 RELEASE DATE FOR ALL IN

Atlanta, GA --- Lefty Williams, Producer Ashley Dennis and Tree Leaf Music have announced an August 21 release date for the singer/songwriter/guitarist's upcoming release ALL IN.  Williams shares, "Paul Diaz and I have been friends for years. About two years ago when he heard the demos he signed me on the spot.  I could not be happier to be a part of the new label Tree Leaf Music has launched." Diaz echoes these sentiments offering, "Lefty is a uniquely talented writer and performer with wonderful, heartfelt lyrics, and amazing riff oriented guitar playing. We are blessed to be able to help him realize his musical vision at Tree."

The sessions were Produced and Mixed by Ashley Dennis who also represents Williams as management. Williams reflects, "Once we started working together we realized that we think the same way, and share a lot of the same ideas. So we would get into the studio and I would say 'this song needs..' and he would finish my thought and vice-versa. With the new partnership having yielded such immediate and successful results, and with his knowledge and experience working with some of the top artists in The World I was often asking for advice and he was always willing to offer guidance.  In an effort to take this to another level, it seemed like a logical step to hire him to manage me." Dennis adds, "Lefty always impressed me.  His great musicianship and work ethic exhibits that he has found his true Passion.  He always is having fun when he plays.  I was super busy and not looking for any new projects, but one night at a local Jam he hosted in Atlanta he convinced me to listen to some rough ideas of songs he had been working on.  Man, I was blown-away!  I felt a real connection to the songs, and went right to work staying up almost all night in my home studio, mixing the roughs, and plotting a course to build the songs into something huge and wonderful just like Lefty's personality.  When you get to know him - huge heart, wonderful guy to be around, truly inspiring. The next day I called Lefty, advising I can make something happen with these songs for sure, but if we are gonna do it, we have to be 'All in.'  No skimping, do it right, or don't do it at all. Lefty agreed, and with hard work and some favors from great people, the demos turned into a deal with Tree Leaf Music / Paul Diaz, and subsequently recording and mixing at the amazing, world renowned Treesound Studios.  I feel like we accomplished our Mission - good, honest, soulful, heartfelt music from the gut performed by men of flesh and bone with instruments of wood and steel.  I can't wait for the rest of The World to hear and enjoy the great talent that is Lefty Williams."

Lefty Williams has established a respected and endearing reputation as a great rock guitarist and songwriter through the age-old adage of building an audience one fan at a time.  Over the last decade, this legion of supporters has grown exponentially with purity.  His songs have real depth and power.  They are more than just catchy pop numbers that speak to the heart about issues of life and the experiences we all share in the passage of life.  His playing is reminiscent of Jimmy Page, Dickey Betts and Eric Johnson, while at the same time frequently receiving comparison to the great lineage of Georgia reared guitarists that include Robert Cray and Duane Allman.  With the release of ALL IN, and a new relationship with Tree Leaf Music, his future continues to thrive.

Williams released his first CD, BIG PLANS in 2006.  It was produced by John Keane (REM, Widespread Panic), who said, ”Lefty’s sound is a compelling combination of honest, heartfelt lyrics and masterful rhythm and blues muscle."  His next offering SNAKE OIL, issued in 2008, was nominated for Album of the Year by the Homegrown Music Network. His latest ALL IN marks the start of a new alliance with Tree Leaf Music.  The songs are soulful, and exhibit an artist wherein the fact that Williams has only one hand should be nothing more than an afterthought.  The vocals are reminiscent of Plant, Redding and Allman in their expressiveness.  Lyrically, The track "Crescent" captures a story of meeting a girl on a train headed to New Orleans, loosely based on his wife Rayanne taking Williams on a birthday trip on the Crescent Line.  With "You Know I Love You," he pays tribute to his wife on their 10th anniversary and shares, "She puts up with me being on the road all the time, and I wanted her to know that I know we can make it through anything that life throws at us."  "Let It Roll On" is simply a happy song about waking up in a good mood, while "You Don’t Tell Me" is the antithesis as Williams reveals, "I wrote this song in the middle of an argument with my wife."  He continues, "I was ironing my clothes and I was going over the argument in my head. I have always been fond of saying “You don't tell me...I tell you” I'm not sure where it came from but I've said it for years. So when I said it to myself it occurred to me that everybody knows what it's like to go through a break up. At some point everyone wants out of a relationship. Even though I wasn't considering leaving my wife, I decided to write a song about breaking up with someone but not being mad at them, just over it."

Blues stalwart Tinsley Ellis, who played on SNAKE OIL, once shared, "I was knocked out by Lefty the first time I heard his music. I just knew that I had to seek him out and hear more of his stuff. He is a veritable triple threat on certainly guitar, but also as a soulful vocalist and clever songwriter. The fact that he is out there winning over fans one at a time with his nonstop touring schedule is definitely something that I can relate to.”  And with the success he now enjoys, Williams remains humble.  He reflects, "I do not aspire to sell out arenas or be on the cover of Rolling Stone. I will be perfectly happy playing in theaters and touring all over the world. My biggest hope is to get out of the van and into a bus and be able to make a comfortable living playing my guitar. I want to take care of my family, my band members, and the people on my team to the best of my abilities. And, I want to connect with my audience on a deeply personal level that allows me to make life-long fans." If karma plays a part in the existence of humankind, Williams has a lot of good coming back his way as he enters the next chapter of his career with the release of ALL IN.

Ronnie Earl Hears Some "Good News" in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards; New CD for Stony Plain Records Set for Release on June 17

Ronnie Earl Hears Some Good News in Memphis at the Blues Music Awards;

New CD for Stony Plain Records Set for Release on June 17

EDMONTON, AB – Ronnie Earl, “The Stratocaster Master,” got some great news in Memphis last week when he was named as Best Guitarist at the 35^th annual Blues Music Awards, and then proceeded to put a prominent exclamation point on that accolade with an absolutely mesmerizing live performance that saw him joined by Kim Wilson, Bob Margolin and Dave Keller, resulting in a standing ovation. Now, the multiple Blues Music Award-winner has some more Good News to share with his legion of fans around the world via the June 17 release by Stony Plain Records of his latest tour de force CD.

On Good News, Ronnie Earl is joined once again by The Broadcasters (Lorne Entress – drums, Dave Limina – keyboards and Jim Mouradian – bass), his band of over 25 years, to create a mostly instrumental CD of spellbinding intensity and deep soul that will add to his growing collection of landmark albums. Produced by Earl and recorded at Wellspring Sound in Acton Mass., Good News also includes special guest Diane Blue, whose captivatingly soulful vocals add further power to several of the tracks, as well as guitarists Nicholas Tabarias and Zach Zunis.

Good News is Earl’s eighth album for Stony Plain Records, and it clearly demonstrates, once again, the deep respect and knowledge he has for his peers and mentors. Along with a majority of original songs, Ronnie salutes several of his influences with loving interpretations of Sam Cooke’s “Change Is Gonna Come;” “Blues for Henry,” a tune co-written with the legendary Hubert Sumlin; and the Junior Wells composition, “In the Wee Hours.” The album’s closer, “Runnin’ in Peace,” features lyrics written by Ilana Katz Katz, who was near the finish line of the Boston Marathon when the first bomb exploded on April 15, 2013.

The new album’s title celebrates Sam Cooke's album, Ain't That Good News, released 50 years ago in 1964.  After having been arrested down South in 1963 he was inspired to write the song, “Change is Gonna Come,” which he recorded in 1964. He later appeared on The Tonight Show days before the Beatles were on The Ed Sullivan Show.  Cooke was shot and killed at the end of 1964, and the song “Change is Gonna Come,” became a rallying cry for the civil rights movement. 

Ronnie Earl has been part of the music scene for many years. Deeply inspired by Muddy Waters, T-Bone Walker and Otis Rush, he started playing guitar in the mid-1970s. He formed his own band The Broadcasters in 1988. Along the way, he went on to tour the world with The Allman Brothers Band, Santana, and playing festivals with Ray Charles, B.B. King and Etta James.

“My greatest love in music is the blues; this is my ‘mother music,’” he says.  “And I dig deep — I have no choice; playing, for me, is a very emotional experience. I put every particle of my soul into it. I’m just trying to get into peoples’ souls and reach their humanity.”

Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters are booked exclusively world-wide by Ted Kurland Associates (www.tedkurland.com). For more information, visit www.ronnieearl.com and www.stonyplainrecords.com.

Jarekus Singleton's "Refuse To Lose" Debuts At #7 On The Billboard Blues Chart

NATIONAL PRESS AND RADIO TAKING NOTE OF RISING BLUES STAR

Clinton, Mississippi-based blues guitarist, vocalist and songwriter Jarekus Singleton's Alligator Records CD, Refuse To Lose, debuted at #7 on the Billboard Blues Chart and #99 on the imprint's New Artist Chart. The full album, which was released on May 6, premiered at USA Today along with an interview, on April 29. The first single, I Refuse To Lose, was selected as the Gotta Hear Song Of The Week by Philadelphia's powerhouse radio station, WXPN. The station also added the song to its regular rotation.

Feature stories have already run in DownBeat, Living Blues, and Blues Music Magazine. The Washington Post's Sunday Style section will feature Singleton (and labelmate and fellow young guitar slinger Selwyn Birchwood) in a story on the next generation of blues players. Later this summer Singleton will appear on NPR's World Cafe, SiriusXM's Bluesville (live in-studio session) and be featured on Elwood's Bluesmobile.

At just 29 years old, Singleton is a musical trailblazer with a bold vision for the future of the blues. Springing from the same Mississippi soil as Charley Patton, Muddy Waters and B.B. King, Singleton's cutting-edge sound -- equally rooted in rap, rock and blues traditions -- is all his own. He melds hip-hop wordplay, rock energy and R&B grooves with contemporary and traditional blues, turning audiences of all ages into devoted fans. With his untamed guitar licks and strong, soulful voice effortlessly moving from ferocious and funky to slow and steamy to smoking hot, Singleton is a fresh, electrifying bluesman bursting at the seams with talent.

Refuse To Lose features a scintillating guitar attack and lyrically startling original songs, all sung with a natural storyteller's voice. Produced by Singleton along with Alligator Records president Bruce Iglauer, the album is an impossible-to-ignore first step onto the world stage. With songs telling real life, streetwise stories brimming with surprising images, pop culture references, infectious rhythms and unexpected musical twists, Refuse To Lose unleashes a new wave of blues for a new generation of fans.

Andra Faye & Scott Ballantine, Lisa Biales

The Big Song Music House Presents!  Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine Saturday, May 24 at 8pm Multi-instrumentalist Andra Faye has received critical acclaim for her mandolin playing. She has been nominated for several Blues Music Awards. Scott Ballantine is a jazz guitar virtuoso who has "wonderfully wicked guitar chops."   Lisa Biales Opens the Show   Doors open at 7 for potluck and mingling. A $20 donation will get you in the door.   Reply to this email to reserve yourself a seat (while they last).  Andra Faye and Scott Ballantine    Check our their new CD "Laying Down Our Blues" at CD BABY     Check Andra Faye and Scott on YOUTUBE: Feels Like Rain, and  In My Girlish Days      Lisa Biales Music Schedule   THURSDAY, MAY 29TH, 2014  7-10pm O'Pub, 10 W. Park Place, Oxford, Ohio 10 W. Park Place - Oxford Ohio 45056 (513) 523-6782   Lisa Biales with Bill Littleford, Dave Mackey, Noah Cope, Chuck Wiggins. Ever wondered what a band rehearsal was like? We'll show ya! * * FRIDAY, MAY 30TH, 2014 @ 8pm* *  Oxford Community Arts Center "Belle of the Blues" CD Release Concert Hear the entire Album Live! 10 S. College Avenue - Oxford Ohio 45056 $10 admission - 513-524-8506   Lisa Biales and the Belle of the Blues Band with Bill Littleford on guitar, Dave Mackey on Drums, Noah Cope on Bass, Chuck Wiggins on Keys. SATURDAY, MAY 31ST, 2014  6:30-8pm  Oxford Wine and Art Festival Corner of High and Main in the Uptown Park Oxford Ohio 45056 - 513-523-5200 This is a day long event starting at 2pm with music, art, food, beer, and wine. Lisa Biales and The Belle of the Blues Band with Noah Cope on Bass, Bill Littleford on Guitar, Dave Mackey on Drums, Chuck Wiggins on Keys. and . . .  Thurs. June 19 Veterans Park Amphitheater, Springfield, OH 8pm Mon. June 23 Miami University Downtown Hamilton, OH 7-9 Thurs. June 26, O'Pub Oxford 7pm Sun. July 6, Ashland, Ohio Bandshell 8pm Thurs. July 10, Oxford Summer Music Festival Thurs. July 12 Huffman Park, Blues & BBQ, Fairfield, OH 6-8:30 Sat. Aug. 2, Cincy Blues Fest, Sawyer Point Park, Cincinnati, OH Time/TBD Thurs. Sept. 18,  McConnell Arts Center, Worthington, OH 8-10pm More dates coming in for the summer.  For Details and Band Lineup visit Lisa's Website: www.LisaBiales.com  "Belle of the Blues" CD Release Concert Friday, May 30th at 8pm Oxford Community Arts Center 10 s. college ave, oxford, OH With:  Bill Littleford, Dave Mackey, Noah Cope and Chuck Wiggins    "She is one of the most impressive vocalists that you will hear, with amazing range and pitch, and she makes it seem almost effortless on these songs." - Friday Blues Fix  " I fell in love with Lisa Biales when I first heard Just Like Honey in the summer of 2012, and through 2013's Singing In My Soul and now Belle of The Blues, I fall deeper each time." - John "The Rock Doctor" Kereiff      BLUES LOVERS   Mark your calendars for the Cincy Blues Challenge    June 1  Cincy Blues Solo/Duo  Challenge   Arnold's Bar and Grill    1:00 - 4:30 (11 solo/duo acts) June 8 Cincy Blues Band Challenge    Germania Park   1:00 - 9:00 (22 bands)       For More Information: Cincy Blues Challenge     GET ACTIVE   Marc and I donated to the Blues Foundation's Raise the Roof! for  the Blues Hall of Fame. The donation includes our names to be added to a brick in the wall. I'd love to see your name there too!      THE BLUES FOUNDATION    Lisa Biales  (Solo, Duo, Band) Peach Pickin' Mamas  (Lisa Biales and EG Kight)  EG Kight (Solo, Band)

Peter Frampton to release mini album "Hummingbird In A Box"

Frampton’s latest work, Hummingbird in a Box, will be simultaneously released in the UK and US on Tuesday 24th June via RED Distribution/Sony Music.
The new music was inspired by the Cincinnati Ballet, featuring seven original guitar pieces in Frampton's virtuosic stylings. Frampton composed all songs on the mini-album along with Gordon Kennedy, who also co-produced the recording. The two previously teamed up for Fingerprints, which garnered them both a Grammy Award for Best Pop Instrumental Album.

Photo Credit: © Larry Marano / Getty Images

The music debuted in April 2013 at Cincinnati’s Aronoff Center for the Arts. Two of the Cincinnati Ballet’s spring production’s segments were choreographed to existing Frampton music - with Frampton and his band performing live - while a third section featured the new composition by Frampton and Kennedy.
Of the project Frampton notes, “Writing for dance was a wonderfully freeing experience. There were no boundaries. We were able to push the composing envelope,” and Kennedy furthers, “Songwriters and musicians create music to move people. This was beautiful, graceful, and instantly gratifying!” See full track listing on reverse.
Following a massive year of touring, including 2013’s inaugural Frampton’s Guitar Circus, Peter Frampton is back on the road. This time Frampton will set out on a three-part catch-all tour including select solo dates, a co-headlining run with Grammy-winning American rock legends The Doobie Brothers and the return of Frampton’s Guitar Circus (more dates to come). For details, please visit www.frampton.com .

Photo Credit: © Larry Marano / Redferns / Getty Images

Kicking off in August, Frampton’s Guitar Circus will feature performances with friend and celebrated guitarist Buddy Guy as well as special guest and critically acclaimed pedal steel guitar player Robert Randolph on select dates. Randolph is best known for his work with Robert Randolph & The Family Band and has been praised by Rolling Stone as “one of the most intense live acts in all of jamdom.” More surprise guests to be added.
Frampton has kept quite busy over the past year in addition to touring. He was recently inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame, performed on-stage at the Grammy’s with Ringo Starr and also played an integral part in the 50th anniversary celebration of the Beatles’ arrival in the U.S. Frampton also produced Humble Pie’s Rockin’ The Fillmore deluxe compilation with original member Jerry Shirley (available now via Omnivore Recordings).
Peter Frampton remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. At 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for British band the Herd. At 18, he co-founded one of the first super groups, seminal rock act Humble Pie. His session work includes collaborations with such legendary artists as George Harrison, Harry Nilsson, David Bowie, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ringo Starr, John Entwistle and many others. His fifth solo album, the electrifying Frampton Comes Alive!, is one of the top-selling live records of all time.

Photo Credit: © Yann Charles

PETER FRAMPTON
U.S. TOUR DATES

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