John Mellencamp
John Mellencamp, previously known by the stage names Johnny Cougar, John Cougar, and John Cougar Mellencamp, is an American rock singer-songwriter, musician, painter and occasional actor known for his catchy, populist brand of heartland rock that eschews synthesizers and other artificial sounds in favor of organic instrumentation. He has sold over 40 million albums worldwide and has amassed 22 Top 40 hits in the United States. In addition, he holds the record for the most tracks by a solo artist to hit number-one on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, with seven, and has been nominated for 13 Grammy Awards, winning one.
Ke$ha
Global pop superstar Ke$ha has done it again. After dominating 2010 with hit after hit, she kicks off 2011 in the same fashion. Her first North American headlining tour – the "Get $leazy" tour is completely sold out. She has had three #1 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 chart ("TiK ToK", "Your Love Is My Drug" and "We R Who We R") and her new single "Blow" impacts radio next week."We R Who We R" kicked off in the #1 position; having debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at release which made Ke$ha the first female artist to debut at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since Britney Spears did with "3" in 2009 and the first artist since Eminem's debut with "Not Afraid" back in May. In late 2010 Ke$ha became the 11th solo female artist to collect at least four Billboard Hot 100 Top 10s from a debut album when her single "Take It Off" catapulted up the chart. She has sold 18 million combined tracks and ringtones in the U.S alone to date and 23 million worldwide, including her smash breakthrough single "TiK ToK' which has sold over 8.5 million combined units. The IFPI announced that "TiK ToK is biggest-selling digital track in the world in 2010 with 12.8 million copies of the song sold in digital stores. Ke$ha is an international powerhouse, Animal has been certified Gold or Platinum or multi-Platinum in seven markets and is the biggest selling debut album from an international female in 2010 in the UK.
Jason Mraz
An Atlantic Records artist, Mraz's recent studio album, We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things has proven to be a worldwide sensation and has received multiple platinum certifications throughout the world. In 2010, Mraz took home two major Grammy Awards for songs "Make It Mine" and "Lucky" and the album had three additional Grammy nomination nods in 2009. The Jason Mraz penned song, "I'm Yours," on this album holds the record as the longest-running song in the history of the Billboard "Hot 100," is the first song ever to top the charts at four different pop radio formats, and was the 2010 ASCAP "Song Of The Year." Jason recently garnered two Teen Choice Awards and received the Songwriters Hall of Fame's esteemed Hal David Starlight Award. In 2009, Mraz was honored alongside Sir Richard Branson by the Environmental Media Association for his planet preservation message.
Stone Temple Pilots
Everything happens for a reason. The majority of global belief systems have this concept at their core. Notables from actress Marilyn Monroe to the Greek philosopher Leucippus believed in this. Fundamental to the matter at hand, it is a belief held by Scott Weiland, Dean DeLeo, Robert DeLeo and Eric Kretz, the members of Stone Temple Pilots. How else to explain the present beatific state the band currently inhabit than the concept of "divine obstacles" being deliberately placed in front of the band members in order that they fully realized their potential, strength, willpower and creativity. "Stone Temple Pilots," the groups sixth, eponymously titled album, due out May 25, 2010 via Atlantic Records, is a testament to this concept.Like piercing the membrane into an alternate musical reality where craft always takes precedence over glitz and talent always triumphs over headlines and reality shows, "Stone Temple Pilots" is the highest peak on the band's enduring landscape. The music is both challenging and familiar at the same time giving the listener a skewed sense of déjà vu. But then again, déjà vu is perhaps fates way of telling you that you're exactly where you're supposed to be. And if the members of Stone Temple Pilots feel that same sense of déjà vu it's because they're right in line with their own destiny.
MGMT
MGMT (pronounced "M.G.M.T.") is an American psychedelic rock band founded by Benjamin Goldwasser and Andrew VanWyngarden. After the release of their first album, the members of their live band, Matthew Asti, James Richardson, and Will Berman joined the core band in the studio. Formed at Wesleyan University and originally with Cantora Records, they signed with Columbia Records and Red Ink in 2006.Spin.com named MGMT "Artist of the Day." Rolling Stone pegged MGMT as a top ten "Artist to Watch" in 2008. The band was named ninth in the BBC's Sound of 2008 Top Ten Poll. They were also named as Last.fm's most played new artist of 2008 in their Best of 2008 lists.
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin. Since its formation, Godsmack has released five studio albums, one EP, four DVDs, and one greatest hits collection.The band has had three consecutive number one albums (Faceless, IV, and The Oracle) on the Billboard 200. The band also has parked a ratified 19 top ten rock radio hits, including 15 songs in the Top Five. A record breaking amount of top ten singles by any other rock artist.
Since its inception, Godsmack has toured on Ozzfest on more than one occasion, and have toured with many other large tours and festivals, including supporting its albums with its own arena tours. Godsmack is currently set to headline the 4th annual Mayhem Festival alongside Disturbed and Megadeth. Godsmack has sold over 17 million records in just over a decade, yet despite the decline of CD sales in recent years, they have proven to be one of the highest-grossing artists in the United States.
Flaming Lips
Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "Psychiatric Explorations of the Fetus with Needles", "Free Radicals (A Hallucination of the Christmas Skeleton Pleading with a Suicide Bomber)" and "Yeah, I Know It's a Drag... But Wastin' Pigs Is Still Radical". They are also acclaimed for their elaborate live shows, which feature costumes, balloons, puppets, video projections, complex stage light configurations, giant hands, large amounts of confetti, and frontman Wayne Coyne's signature man-sized plastic bubble, in which he traverses the audience. In 2002, Q magazine named The Flaming Lips one of the "50 Bands to See Before You Die".
Wilco
"I have to say, this was the most fun I've ever had making a record," says Jeff Tweedy. "We worked really hard, but it was pretty joyous work, and it came together quicker than any record I can remember.""As a lyricist, and as a person who is trying to navigate the world as best I can, I'm certainly confronted with a fear of the other shoe falling, of the ambiguity and randomness we face," says Tweedy. "These are existential crises I've been obsessing about for the twenty years I've been writing songs.
"I do think these songs reflect a higher tolerance for that ambiguity, a better ability to cope with not knowing. That doesn't erase the anxiety of a song like 'Bull Black Nova'—if anything, it makes it more palpable. But people will probably think the balance is tilted toward a more optimistic side—and I hope so. Isn't that what we would all prefer?"
Cee Lo
There can be no doubt that people are talking about Cee Lo Green – that his is a name on the lips of millions of music fans. But are they talking about Cee Lo in the right way, for the right reasons? Mention his name to most people and they'll likely say, "Sure, that American bloke who had that song, Crazy, first single to go to No 1 on downloads alone", or, "He was in that band, whadya call 'em, two dudes, dressed up as female film stars?". Or, "Oh, got ya, he's that fella with the tattoos on his face, bald head, big teeth, has that cool new song called F*** You, right?" By the end of this year, we will no doubt be able to add to such remarks variations on, "You bought that Cee Lo guy's new album, The Lady Killa? No? Well, you need to".Cee Lo Green, then. Superstar, yes. Wildly original talent, undoubtedly. Definitive talisman of modern pop-soul, certainly. But more, much more than these: singer. That's what we're talking about.
Buckcherry
As Nelson explains, recording All Night Long was about Buckcherry showing up at his home studio and working, literally, all night long "without anybody looking at the clock. The process was long by our standards -- three months, but it was a totally different approach. The longer we do this, the more we're inclined to keep re-writing and re-examining what works in a song. But I'm a lifelong believer in the art form of making records. That's a part of my old school can't-let-it-die mentality, and we're going to keep fucking making records."Expect the solid diversity for which Buckcherry has come to be known on All Night Long – from the classic arena-sized rock and roll party of the album's title track to the straight ahead rock of "Our World," which was rewritten to include lyrics specific to the oil spill disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, to help draw attention to the cause.
Jerry Lee Lewis
He's an American rock and roll and country music singer and pianist and an early pioneer of rock and roll music. Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2008 He was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him number 24 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2003, they listed his box set All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology number 242 on their list of "500 greatest albums of all time".
The Avett Brothers
There is no harmony like brotherly harmony. Something indelible in the weave of voices and play of sensibilities is stamped into the fraternal DNA and also stems from a lifetime of shared experiences. You can hear it in classic brother acts across the musical spectrum, from the Louvin Brothers to the Everly Brothers and on down the decades through the Wilson brothers (Beach Boys), the Davies brothers (Kinks), the Allman Brothers and even the Brothers Gibb (a.k.a., the Bee Gees). You can clearly hear fraternal magic at work in the songs of Scott and Seth Avett, better known as the Avett Brothers, as well."We know what we're worth, and we've been campaigning for a long time to be heard," notes Scott without false modesty. "Rick is helping that by sitting up and saying, 'Let me work with you.' We can tip our hats and pat ourselves on the back momentarily and say, 'Good job guys, we have been heard by somebody who's been heard by a lot of people, and he's let us in his camp.' I really look at it as a positive thing and a good milestone. And when it comes time for the next step, we'll do our best again and keep moving."
"We'll just keep writing our songs and making our records, and how it goes is how it goes," concludes Seth. "We're trying our hardest and having some fun doing it, and that's all it needs to be."
B.o.B
21-year old Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic artist/producer B.o.B can, and if you've watched closely enough, you'd know exactly why the multi-talented lyricist and musician is naming his debut album B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray.B.o.B has more than succeeded in presenting his life as a roller-coaster journey. For you, the listener, who may still be seeing some adventure in your life? Let this serve as the soundtrack.
Mumford & Sons
The members of Mumford & Sons came together in 2007, and since have shared a common purpose: to make music that matters, without taking themselves too seriously. The four young men from West have fire in their bellies, romance in their hearts, and rapture in their masterful voices. They are staunch friends – Marcus Mumford, Country Winston, Ben Lovett, and Ted Dwane – who bring their music to us with the passion and pride of an old-fashioned, much-cherished, family business. They create a gutsy, old-time sound that marries the magic of Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young with the might of Kings Of Leon, and their incredible energy draws us in quickly to their circle of songs, to the warmth of their stories, and to their magical community of misty-eyed men.Mumford & Sons' live reputation precedes them, which fans stateside can witness this fall in New York City at the annual CMJ Music Marathon, and now their incredible debut reveals the extent of their magic and majesty on record. Feel the fire in your belly and the romance in your heart as you listen, let your voice break into rapture – and you too sigh no more.
Charlie Wilson
Timeless. It's something every artist wants to be, but few earn the distinction. Charlie Wilson's name is on that short list.From his breakout as a member of the Gap Band ("You Dropped A Bomb On Me," "Outstanding") in the '80s to his revered solo recordings (2005's certified gold Charlie, Last Name Wilson, 2009's Grammy nominated Uncle Charlie), Wilson has sold millions of albums, inspired a throng of artists who modeled their vocal stylings after his (most notably Aaron Hall and R. Kelly) and cemented his status as a musical icon with accolades from Billboard and BET, among a host of others.
No wonder Charlie Wilson is considered timeless. And no wonder Just Charlie will soon earn the same distinction.
Sublime with Rome
Sublime with Rome is a collaboration between Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh of Sublime and Rome Ramirez. The origins of the collaboration came in February 2009, when Gaugh and Wilson reunited for a show in Nevada and called themselves Sublime; the performance was confirmed on March 1, 2009, by a MySpace blog message from Gaugh's current band Del Mar; the message stated the singer and guitarist that joined Wilson and Gaugh onstage was Rome Ramirez, a then-20-year-old from Northern California. Wilson and Gaugh would perform together under Sublime with Rome.In February 2010, the band confirmed numerous North American dates, as well as plans to tour Europe.
Cake
Cake is an American alternative rock band from Sacramento, California. Noted for their idiosyncratic approach to music, Cake became popular in the late 1990s with their album Fashion Nugget, which spawned several singles, with "The Distance" being the highest-charting single. Cake's musical style is characterized by lead singer John McCrea's half-sung, half-spoken vocals and lyrical wordplay. The band has switched out several members in the years since its first album, Motorcade of Generosity, in 1994. Their sixth full-length album, Showroom of Compassion, was released on January 11, 2011, and debuted at the number 1 position on the Billboard 200; a first for the band.
Ludacris
You can call Chris "Ludacris" Bridges a number of things. Hip-hop superstar. Actor. Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Restaurateur. Pitchman. Online visionary. Columnist. All of these labels are accurate, and with his forthcoming October 21st album release, Theater Of The Mind, the Grammy winning, Atlanta-based entertainment maven shows that, as he continues expanding his reach, his musical prowess remains as potent as ever."I wanted an album where you could listen to it from beginning to end and it would put you in an imaginative state," Ludacris says of his sixth major label album. "Ice Cube, Scarface, 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., they paved the way for me. I feel like they're some of the greatest of all time and they lyrically and conceptually put you in this place. I want my fans to feel like they're part of the music. That's what Theater Of The Mind is all about, drawing people in."
Slightly Stoopid
Slightly Stoopid's dual front-men Miles Doughty (Guitar, Bass, Vocals) and Kyle McDonald (Guitar, Bass, Vocals), created their own label, Stoopid Records, in the early 2000's to avoid signing a record deal and keep their DIY work ethic and freedom away from music industry politics. The west coast sound pioneers later added musicians Ryan 'RyMo' Moran (Drums) and Oguer 'OG' Ocon (Congas, Percussion, Harp, Vocals) from the B Side Players, as well as C-Money (Trumpet, Keyboard) and Dela (Saxophone) from John Browns Body; solidifying their on stage line up. Slightly Stoopid has built a large n' loyal fan base, and has soared to one of the most successful independent artists of this decade. The buzz surrounding the group continues to increase with each successive release; their album catalog sales have topped the 700,000 mark and the group continues to fill the most prestigious concert venues around the world, and continues to create a legion of "Stoopidheads" in the process!
Lucinda Williams
It's nothing new to see Williams tug at the heartstrings and stimulate the mind with her songs, but there is a vibe throughout Blessed that is unique to this album in-particular. It's the sound of the wisdom and experience Williams has gained through her years as an uncompromising talent. Combine that with Grammy Award-winning producer Don Was at the helm, and something special is born. Was co-produced Blessed with Eric Liljestrand and Tom Overby, who co- produced Williams highly-praised Little Honey (2008). Blessed features special guests Rami Jaffe on keyboards, Matthew Sweet on vocals Greg Leisz and Elvis Costello on guitar.The deluxe edition of Blessed will include bonus material titled The Kitchen Tapes. These are the demos Williams recorded of the songs that became Blessed right as they were born at her kitchen table, where she does much of her writing.
Kirk Whalum
Kirk Whalum (born July 11, 1958) is an American smooth jazz saxophonist and songwriter. He toured as Whitney Houston's opening act for several years. Whalum has also recorded a series of well received solo albums and film soundtracks, with music ranging from pop to R&B to smooth jazz. Kirk’s musical accomplishments have brought him a total of seven Grammy nominations.Born in Memphis, he was surrounded by music growing up in the R&B capital of the South. In addition to singing in his father's church choir, Whalum also learned to love music from his grandmother, Thelma Twigg Whalum, a piano teacher, and two uncles, Wendell Whalum and Hugh "Peanuts" Whalum, who performed with jazz bands around the country. These influences proved lasting, as he told John H. Johnson's magazine "Ebony Man" in a 1994 profile, "The music I like to play and write encompasses the four elements I grew up with: Memphis R&B, gospel, rock, and jazz. The emphasis, though, is on melody, period."
Tommy Castro
R&B singer, songwriter and guitarist Tommy Castro is one of the most popular and creative roots artists to emerge in recent years. Castro, winner of the 2008 Blues Music Award for Entertainer Of The Year, is famed not only for his hard-hitting, impassioned vocals, soaring guitar work and his blues-infused, rocking R&B sound, but also for his striking, original songwriting and exhilarating stage show. Tommy Castro and his brilliant band have captured a hold of legions of fans and critics alike around the world with their mesmerizing blend of rock, blues and Memphis soul.
Ziggy Marley
In the wake of his 2006 album Love Is My Religion, which earned his fourth Grammy Award, Ziggy Marley shares his musical love with families – his own and the extended human family. Marley's third solo release, Family Time, is produced with old friend Don Was and will be released this May on Marley's independent Tuff Gong Worldwide label.Marley hopes to share the messages of Family Time with children and families the world over. He's already thinking about how to present this work live, the visuals as well as music. "I want this to be a complete thing," Marley says. Expect concerts, perhaps children's books, more recordings and even an animated series coming to fruition. His ambitious, multimedia approach reflects the multilayered ideas of Family Time. "Usually my songs mean more than one thing. Family Time is my family, your family, the world's family."
Bettye LaVette
There's a space in American music where country meets soul, where elements of blues, folk, pop, jazz, gospel and R&B melt in seamless alchemy, where genre boundaries are ultimately not very meaningful. For my money, the best of that music is rooted somewhere around two or three in the morning, when all is quiet, one's emotional guard is down and the musicians are able to drive the voodoo down, getting at the essence of what it is to be human. This is a space that is all too rarely accessed in most contemporary recordings, yet it is a space that Bettye LaVette returns to again and again on "I've Got My Own Hell to Raise". The result is a record of majesty, richness and depth, of naked, raw, visceral emotion, a record that will raise the hairs on the back of the neck of any fully alive, blood pumping, breathing human being. It is also a record that reflects the wisdom and musical acumen acquired over a forty-three year career by a song stylist par excellence.
Gregg Allman
An inveterate road warrior, Allman is understandably itching to return to the endless highway. He spent the months following the surgery hitting both the gym and the rehearsal studio, working hard to restore his vitality to its requisite level. Moreover, Allman is justifiably proud of Low Country Blues and is eager to get out there to bring these songs to his countless fans."When you have a new record it always feels different," he says. "Man, you gotta get out there and move the muscles, you gotta move it and shake it."
"It's been too long," he adds. "I guess I was just born with a lot of gypsy in my soul."
Simply put, Low Country Blues is Gregg Allman at his very best, a self-assured, spirited collection that will stand as a major milestone in what is undeniably an exceptional career. "Places you been, things that you done/Somehow you're still on the run," Allman sings on "Just Another Rider." Long may he run.
Jimmie Vaughn with Lou Ann
The blues-rock master's first album in nine years! Blues, Ballads and Favorites is blues-rock pioneer Jimmie Vaughan's tribute to the music that inspired him, with covers of songs by Little Richard, Jimmy Reed, Roy Milton, Roscoe Gordon and others. The album was recorded in Austin, Texas, and features legendary blues singer Lou Ann Barton on two tracks. Other highlights include a brand-new instrumental, "Comin' & Goin'," and a version of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" featuring vocals by Bill Willis, the famed Hammond organ player who recorded with James Brown and Bill Doggett. Vaughan founded the iconic Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1974, and they became famous for the high-octane blues-rock sound that earned them critical acclaim in the '70s and platinum-selling albums in the '80s. In 1990, Vaughan recorded a duets album, Family Style, with his brother, Stevie Ray Vaughan, shortly before the latter's untimely death, and then went on to a successful solo career.
Macy Gray
At the start of 2009 and ten years into her career, Macy Gray found herself a free agent and on the verge of "The Sellout." Sure, she sold 15 million albums, scored two Grammy Awards, two MTV awards and with "I Try," had one of the most successful singles of all time, but after 2007's Big, she found herself alone, with no one to answer to but herself. Big was the slickest album of her career and she considered going even further away from the true, gritty, whiskey-voice Macy, following instead of leading. In other words, selling out.Despite the rejection, the uncertainty and the heartache, The Sellout is a total triumph and success. It's a testament to Gray's resolve and songwriting chops that the material feels so honest and authentic but yet effortless, moving seamlessly from one track to the next. There's nothing forced, nothing that feels out of place. Fittingly, the album ends with the anthemic track, "The Comeback," a bookend declaration of things accomplished and the hope for better things to come: "Hey big world it's me again/I'm coming way back to be big again." It's the comeback. And The Sellout. And it proves that Gray has no intention of fading away.
Everclear
Though Everclear's Northwestern grunge-punk style was hardly revolutionary when the trio rose to popularity in 1995, their numerous radio singles (including "Santa Monica," "Heroin Girl," "Everything to Everyone," and "Wonderful") and singer Art Alexakis' "us against them" lyrics were taken to heart by bored Gen-X teenagers. Everclear formed in Portland in 1992 and enjoyed a decade's worth of commercial success, with albums like Sparkle and Fade and So Much for the Afterglow -- both released by Capitol Records -- becoming modern rock staples. Art Alexakis also utilized his newfound success in the political arena, testifying in front of Congress regarding child support laws and campaigning with several presidential tickets.
Saving Abel
You know when you hear a song on the radio and you don't know who it is, but you love it and feel like you've heard it before? That's our band! The first time someone hears us, they go, 'I know that band!' Then someone explains, 'no, it's a brand-new song and band.' Saving Abel has an accessible and comfortable sound---you HAVE heard us before," states lead singer Jared Weeks. On their self-titled Virgin Records debut, songs range from the wild road tale in "New Tattoo" to the sexual innuendos of the aptly titled first single, "Addicted." Weeks and Jason Null formed the band in their small hometown of Corinth, Mississippi in 2004. They met when Weeks, who was in a band, was playing guitar at his best friend's house, when Null, who was in a rival local group, walked in to rehearse with his band. Within days of that meeting, Null and Weeks were writing and honing the intimate writing style that now defines Saving Abel. In early 2005, the pair's songs caught the ear of noted producer Skidd Mills (12 Stones, Saliva, Submersed), who took the band into his 747 Studios in Memphis. Mills notes, "It was '18 Days' that hooked me. The first time I heard it I was like, 'these guys are the real deal; they'll be doing this for a long time.' Jason and Jared have always understood that the most important part of the music business is having great songs."
Otis Clay
Clay launched and established his career as a deep soul singer with his first recordings made in the mid-60s for George Leaner's One-derful label in Chicago. A series of hit singles including "Trying To Live My Life Without You" produced by Willie Mitchell in Memphis for Hi Records followed in the '70's. Otis has also recorded for the Cotillion, Kayvette, Elka and Rounder labels as well as his own Echo Records. The intensity and passion of his live shows are captured on Soul Man: Live in Japan (Rounder) and Respect Yourself (Blind Pig) recorded live at The Lucerne Blues Festival in Switzerland. A long time resident of Chicago's West Side, Otis Clay is actively involved as a board member of People For New Direction, a community-based non-profit creating economic initiatives to address a number of issues on the West Side. People For New Direction consists of West Side businessmen and women, doctors, ministers and others who believe strongly in giving something back to the community where they live and work.
Cage the Elephant
When Cage the Elephant released their self-titled debut in 2009, they were heralded as saviors of slacker funk-punk thanks to their hit "Ain't No Rest for the Wicked." The title turned out to be more prescient than they'd bargained for: the band has been battling adversity of many stripes. But the struggles never pushed singer Matt Shultz, guitarist Brad Shultz, bassist Daniel Tichenor, guitarist Lincoln Parish, and drummer Jared Champion off track — they only strengthened the group's bond and fueled the revved-up roar of its new album, Thank You Happy Birthday, released January 11, 2011. Debuting at #2 on the Billboard 200 Chart, Cage The Elephant launched the new year with a ferocious kick of gut-grabbing rock & roll."This album brought me back to life," says Matt Shultz. "We totally turned away from fear-based writing. We just wanted to make music that we loved." Cage the Elephant were literally itching to get new music into fans' hands after spending years promoting their debut, which has sold close to 400,000 copies and spawned three Top 5 singles. In the time since they laid down their first album, the band has done a lot of living — and a lot of growing — and the maturity of their fresh sound shines through on the new album.
Al Kapone
Legendary rapper, Al Kapone who's roots date back to the origin of Memphis underground rap and though the rapper is viewed as a pioneer of the Dirty South Crunk / Buck style of Hip-Hop, the Grammy nominated writer and producer is still making history with such collaborations on his resume today ranging from hit songs like Lil Jon's "Snap Yo Fingers" and E-40's "U And Dat". Along with the creation of hit songs for movie soundtracks such as "Whoop Dat Trick" from the movie "Hustle & Flow" including “It Ain’t Over (Hustle & Flow Theme Song)" which won Kapone the 2006 Critic’s Choice Award, the rapper has also contributed to music in movies such as "Stomp The Yard" and "Black Snake Moan".While continuing his focus on writing now for EMI artists, working on his live shows with his live band "Tha Untouchablez", and holding down the position of President at the Memphis Grammy Chapter, the rapper / producer / songwriter still manages to find time to develop new music for his own rap career.
Amos Lee
"As a songwriter, you have to be singular, you have to listen to your own voice," he says. "But I listen to a lot of different music, and a lot of stuff really inspires me, and I want to do it all. There are fundamental records that I always go back, like Bonnie Raitt's Taking My Time. But I'm way more into Primus and Ween now. I'm open to everything—we just did a show where Hatebreed was playing in the other room, and the energy that was happening in there was amazing."Mission Bell is a dramatic leap forward for Amos Lee's music, but it also feels like the first step in a new creative journey. The collaborations on the album have clearly opened up new horizons for the singer-songwriter. "The idea of playing and singing with other people is really interesting to me at this point in my career," he says. "I've spent a lot of time focused on just doing this thing with my guitar, and there's no reason not to open it up."
The New Pornographers
For what purpose the popular song? Does the popular song have a purpose? Is it just a sequence of auditory gestures, desperate acts, adrift in the bigger broader silence of an unforgiving cultural landscape? In what follows, we will assume that the purpose of the popular song is to unite warring disputants and to repair the manifold puncture wounds of life, so that life is revealed, again, as less accursed than it appears. And let's assume that we go on listening to the popular song, which in the vast majority of its iterations is a failure, because we are chronic in our need for this rehabilitation of our puncture-wounded selves. Take any fine example, take "All You Need Is Love," by the Beatles, or "Walk Away, Renee," by the Left Banke, or "Tears of a Clown," by Smokey Robinson. Try listening to these songs. Almost immediately, your suppurations begin to clot.This is an eschatological approach, and, indeed, some of what you are hearing on Together, by the New Pornographers, is a band of ghosts who are mining their fin de sicle imagery for all its worth, even though we are at the beginning of a century. They are from Vancouver (mostly), they still believe that they have something to say, they are adults, they don't use drum machines, they are not emcees. What could they possibly have going for them? Everything they stand for is over, they are the last iteration, they are the bitter end, the sweet aftertaste of something intoxicating. And yet they believe in doing it, still, together. We are so much the better for it.
John Hammond
With a recording release for almost every year John Hammond has played professionally (40), one which brought him a Grammy and the last four which have been Grammy nominated, and with tens of thousands of live performances under his belt, it is significant that John has the ability to bring a freshness to each performance. The passion he brings to the blues is a testament to the dedication and reverence he has for the musicians who first walked the path he has chosen to follow. Tom Wait’s, when asked about John said, “John’s sound is so compelling, complete, symmetrical and soulful with just his voice, guitar and harmonica, it is at first impossible to imagine improving it.” Wait’s, as producer, composer and lyricist in Wicked Grin, John’s new CD from PointBlank/Virgin, was able to bring Hammond’s unique sound into the realm of his own singular musical vision. The result is a rich and dynamic synthesis of the warm, rootsy style Hammond has honed. Wait’s continued, “I’ve been a fan of John’s since his first record and was proud to be a part of this, [Wicked Grin]. He’s a great force of nature. John sounds like a big train coming. He chops them all down.” Legendary blues man T Bone Burnett wrote, “John Hammond is a master...He is a virtuoso. A Conjurer...A Modernist...John is in a very small circle of men with a guitar and a harmonica. Jimmy Reed, Howlin’ Wolf, Bob Dylan. The guitar is an orchestra. He’s sending messages. Storytelling. All mystery. Protection. The language goes out through the night...The Big Boom. Boom the room. Gone, Johnny, gone.”
JJ Grey and Mofro
JJ has brought his music to countless festivals, including Austin City Limits Festival, Byron Bay Blues Festival (Australia), Bonnaroo, Montreal Jazz Festival and Fuji Rock (Japan). Over the course of his 15-plus year career, Grey has shared stages with the likes of the B.B. King, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Jeff Beck, Ben Harper, Lenny Kravitz, Booker T. Jones, Mavis Staples and many others. In the spring of 2010 Grey was awarded the opportunity of a lifetime as a solo acoustic opener with soul legends Mavis Staples and Booker T. Jones on the What It Is! tour. JJ reminisces, "Getting to open up for such legends, it's just something I'll never forget."With the release of Georgia Warhorse and a relentless world tour to follow, Grey is set for a breakout year. Commenting on his musical future, he says, "Life just makes itself up right in front of me and I just roll with it. All I know is to have the family I have, see the places I've been, meet the people I've met and to get to play music with some of the most talented folks around has got to make me the luckiest man alive."
8Ball & MJG
8Ball & MJG is an American hip hop duo from Memphis, Tennessee. The two rappers met at Ridgeway Middle School in 1984.They first appeared on the rap scene with their 1992 underground album Listen To The Lyrics. In 1993, they released Comin' Out Hard, the album was successful commercially as well as critically and established the group as a prominent act in the then emerging Southern Rap scene. Commercially one of the high points of 8Ball & MJG's career was their being featured on Three 6 Mafia's hit song "Stay Fly" in 2005. That song peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, which is the biggest hit of Three 6 Mafia's career and the biggest hit for 8Ball & MJG. The song was a collaboration between two of the most successful rap groups from the state of Tennessee, from whence Three 6 Mafia also hail. In June 2008 the group announced that they officially signed onto T.I.'s record label Grand Hustle. Their eighth album as a group and their first on Grand Hustle, titled Ten Toes Down, was released in May 2010. It reached #36 on the Billboard 200 in its first week.
Hinder
After selling millions of albums with Extreme Behavior and Take It To The Limit, touring the world for five years and living large, the rowdy Oklahoma boys in Hinder faced the reality of a subdued life at home. They had a new album to finish and also needed to adjust to a civilian existence after an endless party. It was more of a startling transition than they expected, but it also gave them some time to contemplate their lives and what the future may hold. The result of all that soul searching comes in the form of their latest hard rock gem, All American Nightmare.While the rollercoaster ride that Hinder have been on continues to fly ahead at full speed, the path they have taken certainly is not something they all had expected. The new song that reflects that most is "The Life". "I think it's a really strong song, and it means a lot to me," says Winkler. "No matter to what kind of life you lead or you set out for, life is never, ever what it seems even when you achieve your goals. When we sold three million copies of Extreme Behavior, if you had told me that when I was 19 I would've thought we would've been huge and millionaires, and it's not like that, man. It's not all cocaine and strippers, it's life, and I think a lot of people are going to relate to that song. "
The Experimental Tropic Blues Band
The Experimental Tropic Blues Band formed in late 2000 when The Dirty Wolf and Devil D'Inferno met at photography art school. The Boogie Snake entered the band a little later (though he was playing with the Dirty Wolf in Seasick- a Belgian noise/punk band since they were teenagers) and played bass and guitar. Hellelujah, their first record was released in January 2007. Since that release, the band has played in every corner of Europe and has had some troubles with justice for being too expressive on stage...These many experiences have left their marks on the already strong personality of the three stage animals. Two years after, the diabolical trio is back with a new record: Captain Boogie! This record is undoubtedly nastier and harder, but also more personal and accomplished that the previous one, and the band has kept its willingness to throw itself body and soul into music.
Sick Puppies
With a name like Sick Puppies, you wouldn't think hugs would play a major role in the gutsy indie crew's rise to fame, but they do, along with malls and the video-sharing site YouTube. When they met in 1997, singer/lead guitarist Shimon Moore and bassist Emma Anzai were both fans of Silverchair and the Living End plus many of the other angst rock/punk rock bands from their native Australia. In 2001, their song "Nothing Really Matters" won the Unearthed competition, which Australia's Triple J radio network held to find homegrown and undiscovered talent. Given their ten million video views, it didn't take long for the majors to come calling. Virgin wooed them and released the album Dressed Up as Life in April of 2007, just as the views had reached the 12.5 million mark.
Manchester Orchestra
Manchester Orchestra's new album, Simple Math, is about that experience. "It's the reaction to my marital, physical, and mental failures. But for the first time, I'm not blaming anyone but myself," Hull says. Produced fat, tactile and beautiful by Dan Hannon, Simple Math is Hannon's third full-length LP with the band, starting with the debut album I'm Like A Virgin Losing A Child and then the follow-up Mean Everything To Nothing. Recorded at Blackbird Studios in Nashville and mixed by Joe Chiccarelli, the band kept the same studio set-up and production team intact from their second to third records.Rarely does an album come along of such monumental honesty and vulnerability. The power of the music, the complexity of the songwriting, the opportunity to hear a band at the top of their game evolving before our very eyes – it all makes Simple Math so much more than a collection of songs, so much more than just a concept album. Simple Math is a deeply emotional experience. And, simply put, it is a masterwork.
Magic Slim & The Teardrops
Magic Slim's got the blues, and he's not afraid to play them his way. Slim is the driving force in Magic Slim & The Teardrops and they are all about keeping this distinctive American art form of the blues alive. When this Mississippi born bluesman steps onto the stage he instantaneously bursts into one of this dynamic songs and takes you on a long hot ride as he keeps his guitar cranked up to sweltering levels of the blues as only Slim can do. Slim is back by a dynamic trio consisting of Jon McDonald - guitar/vocals; Andre Howard - bass; Brian Jones - drums and David Sims - drums. Slim has a relentless touring schedule and has built up a die hard fan base. Slim says, "I've got the blues deep down in my heart and I'll keep on playing till I can't no more.
Lucero
Lucero is an alt-country/punk rock band from Memphis, TN. Formed in 1998, the six-piece has built its reputation on writing sing-along songs about small town life and love, putting a modern edge on classic Americana subjects. The members may look like tattooed tough guys, but they write resonant songs that tug the heartstrings of even the most hardened rock fan.Lucero has shared the stage with Social Distortion, North Mississippi Allstars and Drive-By Truckers, among others. Nichols also co-starred in season one of MTV's "$5 Cover," a quasi-fictionalized series about the Memphis music scene.
Lucero doesn't have fans as much as diehards who come to every show and scream the words to every song. And that's just the way it should be.
Drowning Pool
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Drowning Pool's tale of perseverance is just as inspiring as their music. The all-American anthemic rock band has persevered through the death of their first singer and losing their second, emerging a stronger unit than ever before. From presenting the Lane Evans Health Act to Barack Obama, while senator, and coming back with their first consecutive album with a singer, vocalist Ryan McCombs, Drowning Pool continue to survive. After their biggest single ever, "37 Stitches" and four years of nonstop touring, which culminated with 2009's Crüe Fest 2, the Dallas quartet are set to release their fourth full-length album, Drowning Pool.
Hubert Sumlin
When Hubert Sumlin plays guitar he takes you to his World of Blues Feeling -- from despair to ecstasy, from delicate grace to raw power, from lost to found. Though he’s influenced and inspired many of the most famous guitar players, Hubert owns the magic. His style is original and personal and instantly recognizable. What kind of man can make or break your heart with his guitar? Hubert’s website is where you’d expect to find the historical and professional facts of his life, but that kind of writing could easily miss Hubert’s gift to us and how he stirs our deepest emotions both musically and personally. I’m writing this from the perspective of a friend, a musician who sometimes performs with Hubert, and a Blues guitar player who appreciates him. This is neither an objective, journalistic biography nor promotional hype, but it will tell you who Hubert is.
Lotus
The swelling beats of a non-stop dance party and the soaring guitar and melodic triumphs of a cathartic rock experience - equal elements to the live instrumental dance rock of LOTUS. Sending huge crowds into a sweat-drenched euphoria at festivals such as Bonnaroo, Ultra, Rothbury, Nocturnal, All Good and Nateva, the band has become a sought after late-night act. And word has spread as Lotus has packed the country's finest clubs and theaters during their busy touring schedule.The album Hammerstrike and the two follow-up EPs, Oil on Glass/Feather on Wood, show the multiple sides of Lotus. Slow-building guitar driven compositions complimented by music leaning toward harder beats and electronic textures working together to form a cohesive whole. Always pushing forward, the band has been writing, performing and recording new music throughout the year developing new sounds and expanding their unique musical voice.
The epic light show and pounding beats may be club inspired, but the band's ability to connect with the audience through emotive composition and dynamic improvisation pushes performances past the elusive barrier dividing concert and experience.
Big Bill Morganfield
Bill Morganfield is the son of McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters) and has emerged in the past few years as one of the top young blues talents in America. Bill has played all over the world in the past 11 years, bringing pure joy to those who have had the pleasure of seeing his live performance. In 2009, Big Bill Morganfield started his own record company, Black Shuck Records. Black Shuck Records is backed by VizzTone Label Group and serves as the backbone of Black Shuck Records. Bill's new CD, Born Lover, was released July 7, 2009 on Black Shuck Records. CD co-producer (and Muddy Waters' Band alumnus) Bob Margolin writes, "Big Bill Morganfield's, Born Lover, reveals and celebrates his journey and progress as a Blues artist. Big Bill's story is simply a great success story. Many have dreams, but so few have what it takes to make that dream a reality. He came from poverty and the odds were not in his favor. But, hard work, burning desire, perseverance, and strong religious convictions gave him the strength and focus needed to fulfill his dreams.
FreeSol
FreeSol is a progressive hip-hop, rock, and soul band from Memphis, Tennessee. They came together in 2003 when the lead singer/MC, Free met Elliott Ives (guitar/vocals), Premo D'Anger (keys/bass), and Kickman Teddy (drums). Growing up surrounded by the musical landscape embedded in Memphis’ history, all four of them were influenced by a variety of sounds, from blues to rock to hip-hop and back again. The name, “FreeSol”, refers to a state of mind - a freedom of expression - with a main objective of never conforming to the usual way of doing things. Armed with this philosophy, FreeSol toured the country playing gigs of all sizes, and competing (i.e., the Mid-South Grammy Showcase, Turner South's My South Rocks competition, The Rock Boat's Grand Championship show, and the BMI Urban Music Showcase). In 2006, Justin Timberlake, also a Memphis native, saw FreeSol perform at a little jazz cafe in their hometown. Shortly thereafter, he signed them to his upstart label, Tennman Records. Justin Timberlake was soon able to secure them a major deal with Interscope Records. Most recently, FreeSol has been working with a variety of producers in order to record their debut album: Cool & Dre (Lil’ Wayne, The Game), Jim Jonsin (Beyonce, Pitbull), Mike Elizondo (Dr. Dre, Eminem), Dave Tozer (Jay-Z, Kanye West), and Timbaland. The album is scheduled for release on Tennman/Interscope Records.
The Lee Boys
The Lee Boys are one of America's finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. Here they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments, including lap and pedal steel guitars. Born and raised in Miami, each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, was the pastor and a steel player himself. "Sacred steel" is a type of music described as an inspired, unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in Gospel, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and ideas from other nations. Influenced by the Hawaiian steel guitar fad of the 1930's, brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought the electric lap steel guitar into the worship services of the House of God church in Jacksonville, FL. The Pentecostal congregation embraced the soulful sound, and over time this unique sound became the hallmark of the church. The pedal steel guitar was added to the mix and soon became the central instrument. The Lee Boys are part of the fourth generation of musicians in this faith.
Devon Allman's Honeytribe
Honeytribe was formed in 1999 in St.Louis, Missouri. Led by singer / guitarist Devon Allman they quickly became one of the top draws in their hometown and won the Jam Band of the Year award in the Riverfront Times Magazine Poll. Some recordings were made , small tours happened and then in late 2000 , Devon disbanded the group to spend time with his newborn son, Orion, choosing to stay in St.Louis and play solo acoustic shows and work on music. .. .. 2005 found Devon appearing on a top 10 hit in Spain with bluesman Javier Vargas. He was featured on the album "LOVE, UNION, PEACE" along side several veteran classic rockers. MTV Europe exposure followed with tours covering 15 cities in Spain , islands off the coast of Africa , Norway and Macedonia. Getting back into the swing of making music prompted Devon to "put the band back together." He managed to get the founding members of Honeytribe all back on board for this go 'round. .. .. Summer 2005 found the members of Honeytribe woodshedding new material that would eventually end up on their late 2006 debut album release, TORCH. Hailed by critics and fans alike , TORCH sold well and was featured heavily on satellite radio. The band was even invited to perform in both the XM and Sirius studios , playing exclusive hour- long sets for each that were broadcast multiple times. Touring ramped up, and from 2006 to 2008 Honeytribe gained fans the old school way : in a van , almost 300 dates a year , 42 states and 10 countries. .. .. During the years of 06 ,07 and 08 , Honeytribe was featured on many festivals, headlining tours, and on many radio stations and television appearances.
Egypt Central
They will hit the road in early 2011 and if there is one thing you can be assured of is, once you see an Egypt Central show you can't wait for them to return. In the words of drummer Blake Allison "Our secret weapon has always been our live show. I can't tell how excited we are to play this new batch of songs for our fans that have stuck by us and this is our invitation for anyone new to Egypt Central to come along on this journey… we hope you accept!"EC is: John Falls-Vocals, Joey Chicago-Bass, Blake Allison-Drums, and Jeff James-Guitar
Jimbo Mathus & The Tri-State Coalition
"Grew up in Mississippi like a good boy should,” sings Jimbo Mathus on the title track to his new album Jimmy the Kid. “Nobody thought he'd turn out much good.” The song's hero, like Chuck Berry's “Johnny B. Goode,” bears a striking resemblance to the singer. Mathus is a reformed (mostly) juvenile delinquent who on record and stage deftly incorporates the richly diverse Southern sounds he heard growing up around Clarksdale, Miss.“Basically I combine the myriad styles of deep roots music in a type of alchemy. Blues, country, gospel and soul all go into the equation equally…”—Jimbo MathusHe masterminded the hyper-ragtime, jump blues act Squirrel Nut Zippers, something that started as a fun little project but eventually sold a million-plus CDs in the 1990s. Since then, Mathus has released recordings of his own in a style he rightfully describes as Mississippi Music. He has stayed busy with numerous side-projects, as well, working with Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Elvis Costello and Buddy Guy. Mathus played guitar on Guy's critically acclaimed 2001 album Sweet Tea — which hit No. 1 on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart. And can be heard performing rhythm and slide guitar on the blues master's Grammy-winning 2003 record Blues Singer. Mathus also served as guitarist/bandleader for Guy on tour.
Travis Wammack
A guitarist, singer/songwriter, and young instrumental genius from Memphis who cut his first record at the tender age of twelve, Travis Wammack is one of the great unheralded guitarists of rock & roll. He was born November 1944 in Walnut, Mississippi.
Paul Thorn
Paul Thorn hails from Tupelo, Miss., and as the son of a Church of God minister, he traveled with his father, playing tambourine in church revivals. Before he pursued music as a career, he became fascinated with boxing and learned how to box from an uncle who had moved to Tupelo from Los Angeles. By his teens, he was winning fights and ultimately turned professional. In 1987, he fought Roberto Duran on national television.In time, he quit boxing and worked in a furniture factory by day, playing in area clubs and restaurants at night. While performing at a Tupelo pizza joint, he was discovered by a representative of legendary manager Miles Copeland. Thorn made his first record Hammer & Nail for A&M Records in 1997 then moved to Copeland's boutique label Ark 21 for Ain't Love Strange in 1999. His third album, Mission Temple Fireworks Stand, was released in 2002 on Back Porch/Narada, followed by Are You With Me? in 2004.He has toured extensively, frequently as a special guest of musicians such as Toby Keith, Sting, Mark Knopfler, Jeff Beck, John Hiatt, Richard Thompson, Robert Cray, Marianne Faithfull and John Prine. In addition, he has co-written with artists as diverse as Jon Bon Jovi, Timothy B. Schmit (The Eagles), Kim Richey and Carole King.
Reba Russell Band
The Reba Russell Band, based out of Memphis Tn. is blues at it's roots. Fronted by vocalist Reba Russell this band's music is a must have. Reba has been on the Memphis scene for over 25 years but went "Blues" full on in 1992. Reba has won 3 Premire Vocalist Awards from the Memphis chapter of the National Recording Arts and Sciences and has released 5 independent CD's in the past 7 years.Reba is as soulful as it gets and although her touring schedule isn't as widespread as her fans would like, Reba is working regularly in many venues across America.
Preston Shannon
Hailed as the reigning "King of Beale Street", Memphis' own Preston Shannon is a powerful guitarist with a compelling and soulful voice that sounds like a cross between Otis Redding and Bobby Womack. Born in Olive Branch, Mississippi, Shannon's family moved to Memphis when he was eight. Although his Pentecostal parents didn't initially accept his fascination with blues music, they eventually did when they saw how serious he was about pursuing the music for his livelihood.The seeds of his enduring talent were sown deep in the blues-rich Mississippi Delta and his specialty is a blend of Southern soul and blues and his albums and live shows, always with a horn section, are an eclectic mix of danceable, grooving tunes and slow, soulful ballads. Preston exemplifies to many listeners the power of Southern "deep soul" - hoarse, gritty vocals, brassy arrangements, and an emotional way with both party tunes and aching ballads.
Amy Lavere
Amy LaVere was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and grew up in Bethany, Louisiana, a small Texas/Louisiana border town, nurtured by musical parents with a passion for traditional country music. Her family moved 13 times by the time she entered high school, ultimately landing in Detroit where Amy fronted the punk band Last Minute while still in her teens. By 1999, she had moved to Memphis where the city's diverse music community quickly embraced her unique style. Amy LaVere is an American singer, songwriter, upright bass player and actress. Her music is classified as Americana, combining a blend of classic country, gypsy jazz, and southern soul. She has released two albums on Memphis label Archer Records, and has multiple acting credits in major motion pictures.
One Less Reason
Originally known as Lappdog, One Less Reason formed in 1998 in Jackson, TN. Vocalist Cris Brown and drummer Jerome Hubble played with several different lineups during the band’s early years, eventually settling on a permanent roster that included drummer Kevin Scott and guitarist Jeremy Jones. After dropping the Lappdog name in 2002, the guys also changed their sound, combining the hard rock songs they’d already written with softer, more melodic material. Although they signed with Universal Records in 2003, the contract didn’t last long, and One Less Reason returned to indie status after the release of one single, “Favorite Color,” in 2004. They continued releasing material, though, issuing albums like Everydaylife, Getting Back Your Self-Esteem, Lifetime Burning, and Faces and Four Letter Words on their own record label.
Will Tucker Band
Will Tucker was raised on blues and southern rock in Memphis, Tennessee. He was playing drums at age five, piano at eight, and guitar at the age of twelve. His love of music led him to BB King's Blues Club where he was discovered by owner, Tommy Peters, who calls Will "the axe man." At age 14, Will was performing with the house band, and soon had a regular slot with his own band playing to enthusiastic crowds. During 2008 and 2009, Will performed on stage with Charlie Musselwhite, G. Love and Speacial Souce, and the Beach Boys with John Stamos. Living in the home of the blues has advantages. Will and his band have opened for BB King five times, and met legends such as Bobby Blue Bland, Billy Gibbons, David Porter and Walter Trout.In 2010, Will was introduced to Randy Jackson who invited him to play on the soundtrack to a movie called "The Jenson Project." In the fall of 2010, Will's original song, Your Sacrifice, will be included in the companion CD for the movie, "A Walk in My Shoes" with soundtrack again produced by Randy Jackson. Will was nominated as a finalist for MemphisMost Commerical Appeal in the categories of "Best Blues Performer," "Best Performer," and "Best Band," coming in third for Best Blues Performer behind BB King and Al Green.
Blind Mississippi Morris
No one has worked harder at keeping the legacy of the blues alive than Blind Mississippi Morris. A Clarksdale native, Blind Mississippi Morris hails from a distinguished family of Mississippi musicians. He was schooled on the harmonica at an early age by cousins Robert and Mary Diggs of the legendary "Mississippi Sheiks" and the gospel group "The Harps of Melody". He's also a cousin of writer/performer/producer Willie Dixon, an integral part of Chicago's Chess Records during their heyday. Over the years, Morris has gained his own national and international recognition having been named by Bluzharp magazine as one of the ten best harmonica players in the world.
Kenny Brown
Kenny Brown (born on the Air Force base in Selma, Alabama, July 5, 1953) is a blues slide guitarist from Nesbit, Mississippi. Skilled in the North Mississippi Hill Country blues style popularized by his mentor R. L. Burnside, Brown began his career by apprenticing with Mississippi Joe Callicott, Johnny Woods, and Mississippi Fred McDowell. He records for the Fat Possum Records label. In 1971 Brown began performing with R. L. Burnside, who claimed Brown as his "adopted son." and affectionately called him "white boy on guitar" and "my white son." Both Brown and Burnside have noted the singularity of Brown's being a white musician playing in the previously predominantly African American genre of North Mississippi Hill Country blues. Brown's guitar work was featured in the 2006 film Black Snake Moan, where he provided backing for star Samuel L. Jackson's vocals. He can also be seen in the film's climax as a guitarist in a blues band, playing alongside Burnside's grandson Cedric. He has also performed with rock bands Widespread Panic and the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. Brown currently lives in Potts Camp, Mississippi, in the North Mississippi Hill Country.
Grady Champion
Grady Champion is a young, blues singer and harmonica player, born October 10, that has been compared to Sonny Boy Williamson, and people can hear exactly why on his Shanachie debut Payin' for My Sins released August 24, 1999. The album includes a version of "Don't Start Me to Talkin'" that really shows Grady's high-energy singing and harmonica playing and an update of the traditional blues lament "Goin' Down Slow" with an AIDS parable -- a hard-bitten vignette of modern life. His revved-up, soulful vocalizing and the charm and insight he brings to his songwriting in numbers like the campy "My Rooster Is King" and the classic-sounding tale of infidelity "You Got Some Explaining to Do" (co-written by his producer Dennis Walker, who helped Robert Cray reach national fame) mark Grady as an important new talent.
Robert Wolfman Belfour
Born September 11, 1940, in Holly Springs, Mississippi) is an American blues musician. His father, Grant Belfour taught him the guitar at a young age and he continued his tutelage in the blues from musicians Otha Turner, R. L. Burnside, and Junior Kimbrough. Kimbrough, in particular, had a profound influence on him. His music is deeply rooted in Mississippi Hill Country traditions, in contrast to those of delta blues. His playing is characterized by a deeply percussive attack and alternate tunings . His father died when Belfour was thirteen, and his music was relegated to what little free time he had, as his energy went to helping his mother provide for the family. In 1959, he married Noreen Norman and moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he would work in construction for the next 35 years. In the 1980s Belfour began playing on Beale Street and in 1994 he had eight songs featured on the compilation album, The Spirit Lives On, Deep South Country Blues and Spirituals in the 1990s. This led him to Fat Possum Records and his first album What's Wrong With You, released in 2000.
Brad Webb
Brad Webb was born and raised in Memphis, TN, which has a rich musical heritage known the world over from Rock n Roll, Blues, Gospel, Rockabilly, Soul and R&B. He was blessed to be touched by all of these. He got his first guitar, a $13 Kay with painted on pick guard at age 14, a Silver tone at 15 and a Fender Strat at 16. Brad has been producing, writing, recording and playing guitar with Blind Mississippi Morris since 1986. Brad's latest project was for two old friends Steve Bryson and Billy Lavender for Steve's new label I55 Productions called "Memphis Livin". Brad now works for I55 full time and have started working on a Fred Sanders CD.
