H - J
Harper and the Midwest Kind
An amalgamation of blues, soul and world music, multi award winning Australian singer/ songwriter "Peter D. Harper" creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo. By combining traditional and modern influences, borrowing from Western and World music, Harper has created a highly original take on the roots genre which many have labeled "World Blues". Harper has received an amazing 14 x Music Awards in four different countries. His innovative use of electronic enhancement and feedback, breaks the traditional boundaries of the harmonica, giving his music its distinctive harmonics and effects. The powerful guitar sounds and the unique drone of the didgeridoo create raw yet eerie sonic textures, some how sounding primal and contemporary at the same time. No Depression Magazine,'s (USA) Rod Ames, adds that Harper " has written and arranged some of the most soulful blues rock filled music I have ever heard". Harper is backed by his very talentedt Detroit based band "Midwest Kind"
On March 31st, 2016, Harper released his new CD "Show Your Love' (Blu Harp Records) The new CD hit # 3 on the Billboard Blues Charts - (July 27, 2016). Plus an amazing 6 Months in the Top Ten on Billboard, (September, 2016) only being beaten out by Eric Claption and Joe Bonamassa. "Show Your Love" also hit # 1 in The Netherlands, # 1 in Italy and #3 on the Australian Blues Charts (Top 5 for 5 months). Funded by his fans via a very successful “GoFundMe” campaign, Harper’s latest CD features 11 original road-tested tracks recorded with his well-traveled Detroit-based touring band “Midwest Kind.”.Harper's latest offering features his strong, resonant voice and a deep, almost mystical approach to music that some might say has evolved into its own genre. Harper calls it “World Blues” -- a rich musical stew of ‘50s rhythm and blues, a ‘60s message of love and unity, and ‘70s funky soul, stirred up with masterful harmonica and the deep, woody, percussive tones of the didgeridoo, served up in a feast of timeless mystery. With his chops at their best and his band "Midwest Kind" sharing his vision, Harper will continue to turn heads of audiences who are looking for originality, honesty, passion and skill in modern roots music.
Jimmy Pritchard
Jimmy started playing Bass professionally in 1980 with the band Masque featuring guitar wiz Vinnie Moore. He moved to Florida in 1986 and took up with Easy Excess for 2 years on non-stop gigging.
Wanting to pursue Blues as his main music, he returned to the Tri-State are in 1989 and picked up a gig with Lisa Jack & The Reputations and this led to many years of work backing up Regional Acts such as Sister Blue, Jim McCarthy, The Homewreckers & Roni & The Eldorado’s.
In 1996, he hit the road with Blues Great Sonny Rhodes touring Europe, Canada & the U.S. It was on this tour that he met and played with many Great Bluesmen including the Legendary Frankie Lee, and would go on to back up the singer on some East Coast dates.
In 1997, he recorded with Randy Lippincott & began backing up Randy as well as Georgie Bonds & The Blueskeepers and Arkansas’s own Lonnie Shields. It was at this time that he recorded & backed Delaware artist Socco, & was touched by his sparks of creativity.
Jimmy stayed busy with various blues artists ,even backing L.A.’s Arthur Adams at the 2000 Pocono Blues Fest and Chris Cain at the 2001 Riverfront Blues Fest.
In 2003 he hit the road with Big Jack Johnson touring the U.S. & Canada with one of the kindest artists in the blues. Since 2003, he has played & recorded with harmonica ace Mikey Jr. Around the same time he started backing multi-talented blues man Richard Ray Farrell . He’s been hosting the blues jam Every Tuesday @ Warmdaddys in Philly since the Late 90′s with The Randy Lippincott Band.
Joining up with Roger Girke in 2004, he toured with Roger supporting the album, ”My Baby Loves that Stuff” enjoying many powerful nights of music.
He recorded his own record of originals “Shopping for the Blues.” It was very well received and nominated by the North Jersey Blues & Jazz Society for The Blues Foundation C.D competition in 2007.
In 2008 he tracked for the a new CD from Lonnie Shields, “Keeper of the Blues”& backed Gary Allegretto @ The Riverfront Blues Fest in support of his record “Many Shades of Blue“. In the same year he took up company with Philly’s own Zydeco-a-Go-Go, letting the good times roll.
In 2009 he toured the south with Mikey Jr & had a chance to back up the great Eddie Kirkland a real special man with very deep ties to the music.
In 2010 his second record “Goin’ Down 9? was released & featured many of the areas finest musicians, the album was nominated by the Diamond State Blues Society & made the first cut the 2011 IBC CD competition. That same year at the IBCS he backed Mikey Jr , went to the semi-finals & in 2012 to the IBCS finals. Also in 2010 Jimmy started fronting his own three-piece band which sometimes features a double sax threat.
2011 brought a producing credit for Blue Cat Blues debut CD “Whiskey Feet.” He played bass and contributed an orinigal song on The St.Georges Sessions.He was part of the rhythym section at the Little Walter Birthday Bash in 2012 with old friend & musical commerade Chris Sherlock, “we spent a many a day together servin’ up the groove,” which featured nine of the area’s top harmonicist.
Currently writing songs for a new record & developing a show of his own , he did find time to back Albert Castiglia at the New Candlelight Dinner Theater and has been touring with Albert ever since.
Jimmy Thackery
Thackery spent fourteen years as part of The Nighthawks, the Washington, D.C. based blues and roots rock ensemble. After leaving the Nighthawks in 1986, Thackery toured under his own name.
Born in Pittsburgh and raised in Washington, Thackery co-founded The Nighthawks with Mark Wenner in 1972 and went on to record over twenty albums with them. In 1986 he began touring with The Assassins, a six-piece original blues, rock and R&B ensemble which he had previously helped start as a vacation band when The Nighthawks took one of their rare breaks. Originally billed as Jimmy Thackery and The Assassins, the band toured the U.S. Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, South, and Texas regions. The Assassins released a variety of recordings on the Seymour record label, two on vinyl (No Previous Record and Partners in Crime) and the 1989 CD Cut Me Loose.
In the wake of the Assassins 1991 break-up, Thackery has been leading a trio, Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers, whose early recordings were for the San Francisco, California based Blind Pig Records. In 2002 Thackery released, We Got It, his first album on Telarc and in 2006, In the Natural State with Earl and Ernie Cate on Rykodisc. In 2007, he released Solid Ice again with The Drivers.[2] His latest album, Wide Open, was released in 2014
Joe Louis Walker
Joe Louis Walker, a Blues Hall of Fame inductee and four-time Blues Music Award winner celebrates a career that exceeds a half a century. His new album Everybody Wants A Piece cements his legacy as a prolific torchbearer for the blues. Looking back on his rich history, Walker shares, “I’d like to be known for the credibility of a lifetime of being true to my music and the blues. Sometimes I feel I’ve learned more from my failures, than from my success . But that’s made me stronger and more adventurous. And helped me create my own style . I’d like to think that when someone puts on one of my records they would know from the first notes, ‘That’s Joe Louis Walker.'”
A true powerhouse guitar virtuoso, unique singer and prolific songwriter, he has toured extensively throughout his career, performed at the world’s most renowned music festivals, and earned a legion of dedicated fans. Walker’s 1986 debut album Cold Is the Night on HighTone announced his arrival in stunning fashion, and his subsequent output has only served to further establish Walker as one of the leading bluesmen on the scene.
Born on December 25, 1949 in San Francisco, at age 14, he took up the guitar. Just two years later, he was a known quantity on the Bay Area music scene, playing blues with an occasional foray into psychedelic rock. For a while, he roomed with Mike Bloomfield, who introduced him to Jimi Hendrix and the Grateful Dead. Walker even made a brief pilgrimage to Chicago to check out the blues scene there. In 1975, burned out on blues, Walker turned to God, singing for the next decade with a gospel group, the Spiritual Corinthians. When the Corinthians played the 1985 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, Walker was inspired to embrace his blues roots again. He assembled the Boss Talkers, and throughout the 1990s merged many of his gospel, jazz, soul, funk and rock influences with his trademark blues sensibilities on recordings released by Polydor/Polygram. These albums feature Walker’s collaborations with a diverse group of first-rate artists including Branford Marsalis, James Cotton, Tower of Power, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Taj Mahal, Ike Turner and Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. Walker has steadily released recordings since the turn of the millennium, and recently signed to Provogue / Mascot Label Group.
NPR Music has called Walker “a legendary boundary-pushing icon of modern blues,” and he is already being referred to within the blues world as a living legend. However, at this stage of his life, Walker profoundly shares, “I’d really like to inspire younger musicians to carry on the legacy of blues/roots music. But play, and do it your way. Don’t be afraid to mix it up. There’s no right, or wrong way. Just the way you wanna express yourself. And above all, ENJOY YOURSELF.”
Joel DeSilva
Joel DaSilva has blues running through his veins. Born and raised in his sweet home, Chicago, DaSilva hails from a musical family. His mother and father traveled throughout Brazil and Ukraine, his mother a singer and father accompanying her on guitar. His father passed away when he was 3, but Joel continues to channel that soulful energy in his live performances to this day.
As soon as he was old enough to work, Joel took a job as a bar back in a blues joint where his older brother tended bar. The goal was to get closer to the music, immersing in the scene. Eventually, he was setting up equipment for touring bands and getting to know them inexchange for lessons from the masters and lessons in Music Business 101.
By the age of 18, DaSilva joined his first band as lead guitarist for Junior Drinkwater & the Thirstquenchers. He went on to play guitar and sing in jump blues in the Regulators, psychobilly, and surf-oriented band The Underbellies, and the frontman for rockin' blues act,the Hep Cat Boo Daddies before breaking out on his own as a solo artist.
Joel DaSilva and the Midnight Howl formed and with a resume that includes performances with heavy hitters like B.B. King, A.C.Reed, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Reverend Horton Heat and opening for acts as varied as: J.J. Grey, Nick Curran, the Smithereens, Foghat, Los Lobos, The White Stripes , The Black Crowes, Nighthawks, and Jimmie Vaughan, etc,etc. DaSilva has already made a mark in the industry; and is poised to become a power player..
....He is the real deal.
You have to see his high energy mojo LIVE as he BRINGS it.
Soulful guitarwork and vocals.
Joel also enjoys Acting as he has been in some regional theatre, some indie films , extrawork, and is currently playing Sheriff Cousins and also doing Soundtrack work for the indie film "Sleep" .
Joey Fulkerson
Lead Guitar, Slide guitar, Lead and Backup Vocalssee also "Nothin But Trouble".
Joey is a highly sought after musician known for his dynamic guitar work and his soulful vocal style. Starting on harmonica in second grade while also performing in school chorus, Joey got the music bug at a young age. A tragic skateboard accident at age fourteen led Joey to learn the guitar starting with his older brother’s hand me down hollow-body. Performing in area nightclubs since age seventeen he developed a reputation with his incendiary playing and wild showmanship. Realizing the potential for a life long music career Joey set about learning many styles of music, making him an incredibly versatile musician.
Joey says” I sort of backed into the blues” being influenced by ZZ TOP, The Pat Travers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd he discovered these groups were influenced by the classic blues recordings by Muddy Waters, Albert King, and Robert Johnson sending him on yet another journey of discovery.
Joey has performed with such bands as Hyde Park, The Cutters, Joey & The Hurricanes, The Drifters, The Coasters, The Platters The Marvelettes, and most recently toured the world with the legendary Chubby Checker.
Johnny Neel
Johnny Neel has been touring all over the US and Europe, astonishing audiences with his powerful vocal and amazing keyboard technique. Born blind in Wilmington, Delaware, Neel cut his first single at the age of twelve in 1966, as “Johnny Neel and The Shapes Of Soul“. As an adult, the Johnny Neel Band had a strong following up and down the East Coast and released two well-received independent albums; “One Hot Night” and “You Shoulda’ Been There”. Neel moved to Nashville, the premiere song writing city, in 1984. Where he immediately became recognized a session “A” studio player. Others began to notice Neel’s songwriting talent and decided to take advantage by recording his songs on their albums.
Performing with various bands in area clubs drew the attention of former Nashville resident Dickey Betts, who asked Neel to join his road band, and begin working on Dickey’s solo LP for Epic Records. That relationship led to seven cuts on the “Pattern Disruptive” LP including the Top 10 AOR hit, “Rock Bottom.” Neel’s talented keyboard and harp playing on that album convinced Gregg Allman to ask Neel to tour with his road band.
Neel decided to join the reunited Allman Brothers Band, immersing himself in a successful tour, which led to a number one AOR smash hit during the summer of 1990. Car radios all across America blasted “Good Clean Fun”, from the Seven Turns Album, co-written by Neel with Allman and Betts. The chart topping hit provided the reunited Allmans with their highest charting single since “Ramblin’ Man” fifteen years prior. Neel’s songs have been recorded by such artist’s as Montgomery Gentry, Delbert McClinton, John Mayall, John Louis Walker and many others…. Johnny Neel is a recipient of the “Life Time Achievment Award” from the 2012 Grammy’s with his work with the Allman Brothers.
In 2000 Neel released “Late Night Breakfast“, which was recorded at his studio, Straight Up Sound Studio, with the members of his band, “The Last Word”, and special guests such as Shane Theriot (The Neville Brothers), Rick Vito (Fleetwood Mac) and Wayne Jackson (The Memphis Horns). This record was released on Neel’s label, Breakin’ Records, which showcased his pleading vocals as well as brilliant piano, B-3 and harp work.
During that same period of time the recordings were made, Neel also became a member of Blue Floyd, a premiere jam band with variations on the material of Pink Floyd. In addition to Neel, band members were comprised of Marc Ford (Black Crowes), Matt Abts (Gov’t Mule), Berry Oakley Jr. (OKB Band & Bloodline) and, the late Allen Woody (Gov’t Mule).
Johnny Neel and Matt Abts went into Johnny’s Straight Up Sound Studio and record the “x2” project which was graciously received by fans and the media.
Neel toured with the Italian rock band W.I.N.D. and has recorded the proclaimed “Italian Experience” in 2002.
Neel has released on Breakin’ Records “Gun Metal Blue, Criminal Element Vol 1 & 2, and Vol 3 along with a DVD. Johnny also has contributed tracks on the Truckers Tracks compilation series: www.truckerstracks.comIn 2010 he released a solo effort titled “Harmonious” with a mini documentary that featured a intimate side of Neel never seen or heard before.
In 2012 Johnny is releasing his eighth solo effort titled “Every Kinda’ Blues”, this release has every kinda blues that you never heard before. This recording has been well received by the blues community and features two (LIVE) tracks with the Italian band W.I.N.D., as well as tracks that cover all variety of the blues. In 2016, Johnny celebrated 50 years in music with his double CD “66/16”. This CD included Johnny’s favorite cuts from 1996 to 2016. It’s a fun collection of music that is guaranteed to make you smile and stir your soul.
The CD Release party was held at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville Tennessee on December 28, 2016 and included a reunion with Johnny Neel & The Last Word, featuring Jack Pearson on guitar, Randy Coleman on bass and Nanette Bohannon and Soul Keys singing back up. It was an amazing night. The evening included a video presentation of Johnny talking about his career highlights and as well as other great musicians giving their experience and thanks to Johnny. Yes. A man with boundless energy, Neel still manages to juggle studio work, local club gigs, road work and hit song writing, and somehow between the chaos maintains his sanity.“They say that you can’t do it all; Hell, I’m trying to prove ‘em wrong.” – Johnny Neel
AWARDS
* Grammy nomination for keyboard work as an Allman Brothers Band member on the instrumental cut, “True Gravity” LP from the Seven Turns album
* ASCAP Country Award for “Take The Long Way Home” recorded by John Schneider
* BMI Citation Award as a member of The Allman Brothers Band
* Vocalist of The Year – 2001 Bands of Dixie Magazine (France) Readers Pol
Johnny and Zep
Together, Johnny and Zep churn out a blues magic that is infused with mojo, spirit and authenticity. They have been referred to as “The Blues Dream Team” offering up performances of soft blues ballads, passionate Delta slide moans and driving Little Walter and Muddy Waters riffs. Johnny’s exquisite finger style guitar work and passionate voice are complimented perfectly by Seth’s deep range of sound and harmonica styles.
They are the dynamic duo of Delta Blues!Johnny Never delivers Delta, Piedmont and East Texas Blues with a passion, authority and authenticity that has been pleasing blues lovers for a decade.
In 2011, Johnny, along with his band, was one of only three national acts selected by the Philadelphia Folk Song Society to perform in a concert honoring the 100th birthday of blues legend, Robert Johnson.
Johnny has been recognized by blues clubs in the greater metropolitan area as one of the most authentic Delta blues artists in the region.
“… Johnny Never is the real deal!! Delta and Piedmont blues rarely heard this far north! A rare treat.” - Dave Strickler – Baltimore Blues Society.
Harmonica player Seth Holzman AKA ZEP HARPO, blows 'em away with deep, passionate harp playing and percussion. This is not idle boasting. Seth has performed with Muddy Waters, Koko Taylor, John Mooney, Roomful of Blues, Dave "Honeyboy" Edwards, Magic Slim, Big Jack Johnson, Ronnie Earl, and other dignitaries of the blues.
“When you listen to the music of Johnny Never and Zep Harpo you will NEVER look back! They are as authentic as it gets” - Bob Corritore, Blues Harmonica, Delta Groove recording artist.
“Johnny and Zep are regular performers at Nora Lees. They own the blues! Our customers ask for them by name” - Becky Smith, Manager, Nora Lees
The Jon Hay Band
16 year old Jon Hay's passion for blues guitar began at age 2 after watching his Dad's DVD, "Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble - Live from Austin, Texas". At age 4 he began studying at Bluebond Guitars in Philadelphia with Michael Caughlin and began performing in their student bands at famous Philadelphia venus such as the Trocadero, and the Legendary Dobbs.
After a chance meeting with the U.K.'s No. 1 Swing Band, The Jive Aces, Jon was invited to perform as a featured artist in NYC during their 2014 U.S. tour and has since performed with them numerous times to large audiences in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. In April 2016, he was invited to perform with them at the Derry Jazz Festival in Derry, Ireland where he quickly rose to local fame.
He has since formed the Jon Hay band which performs in and around Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware. Jon also performs at popular blues jams such as the Twisted Tail, the Greenwood Inn, the Reef and hosts jams at Jonathan's Landing and the Blue Earl. He also performs regularly with Philadelphia's own Mikey Junior, a major force in today's blues scene.
Having received scholarships from the Blues Foundation in Memphis and Boston's Berklee College of Music, Jon attended Berklee's Summer Program where he was chosen out of hundreds of guitarists to participate in it's All Star Jazz Band .
Jon appeared as a special guest at the 23rd Annual Remembrance Ride and Concert to benefit the Stevie Ray Vaughan Foundation in Austin, Texas, on October 1st, 2017.
Sponsored by the Central Delaware Blues Society, Jon will be performing in the International Blues Challenge Youth Showcase in Memphis in January 2018.
Jon currently studies with guitarist Kevin Hanson and attends Cherry Hill East High School where he is a member of Inspiration East, it's funk and soul band and it's jazz band, Jazz Standards.
Jon's influences include Sean Costello, Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimmie Vaughan, and Albert Collins.
Left to right the band members are: Sean McIntyre (drums), Randy "Rando" Branning (bass), Jon Hay (guitar and vocals), Zach Lees (guitar) and Eric Christian (keys).
JP Blues
JP started playing guitar at the age of 10 and it was clear that something special was happening here. This “Something Special” was recognized by legendary bluesman Sam “Bluzman” Taylor. Sam took JP under his wing and began to school him on the blues, or what Sam use to call “SAMerizing”. It was under Sam’s watchful eye that JP began to flourish as a musician and a bluesman!
JP has had the pleasure of either performing with or opening for such legendary artists asMichael Falzarano (Hot Tuna), Chris Beard, Debbie Davies, Pete Sears (Jefferson Starship), Buddy Cage (New Riders), Kerry Kearney (Marty Balin), Phil Grande (Joe Cocker), Scott Holt (Buddy Guy), Dennis Innessibuw (Robert Plant), Sam Bluzman Taylor, , Derek Trucks, Johnny Winter, Robben Ford, Joe Bonamassa, Kofi Burbridge (Tedeschi Trucks Band), Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks), Todd Smallie (Derek Trucks)
JP released his first CD in 2009 called, “Die Happy”. In that same year JP went on to compete in the International Blues Competition representing The Long Island Blues Society. The JPBlues band, at the time consisted of Pat Adkins (Gary US Bonds, Chuck Berry) on Drums and John Young (Ryan Leslie) on Bass. At the time JP was 17 and was one of the youngest competitors to have entered into the IBC. Competing in the same venue, was Ruff Records recording artist Oli Brown. He and JP struck up a fast friendship. Also in the same venue was the band “Trampled under Foot”, who went on to win the whole competition. In 2010, JP once again competed in the IBC this time as lead guitarist for the band Frank Latorre and the King Bees. Frank Latorre, can be heard on Johnny Winters Roots CD as well as many other great recordings. Ironically competing in the same club that Year was Grady Champion, who, you guessed it, won the whole competition.
His second CD, “I Will Not Go Quietly” charted on Roots Music Report for radio airplay at #4 and remained on the RMR charts for 28 weeks straight. It was also voted by RMR as Top Blues CDs of 2011. Giving JPBlues the nod, this CD has special appearances by Albert Castiglia andCaroline Aiken! This was unprecedented for an independent artist!
After graduating High School, JP realized that music was going to be his career. So, while touring and Playing the local NY blues scene, he attended “Five Towns College” where he received a degree in Music Business. He knew that if he was to be successful as a musician and a band leader, he needed to become as adept at business as he had become at performance.
In 2011, JPBlues left the New York blues scene and moved to Atlanta Georgia. It is here that he met his drummer Shiloh Bloodworth, and in 2013 they both were hired to back Australian blues artist “Anni Piper” (Blues Leaf Records) on her first US tour, which was a great success. With the addition of Tony Hossri, JPBlues had put together a power trio, which took to the road and toured throughout the Northeast and South.
JP’s newest CD,”Make Room at the Table”, was released in Sept 2013 and has received critical acclaim from the blues press and continues to chart on RMR Blues airplay Charts. Once again some of the top musicians in the Atlanta area came out to give JPBlues a nod and contribute to his latest CD, in addition to his new Band. Both Yonrico Scott (Derek Trucks, Royal Southern Brotherhood) and Todd Smallie (Derek Trucks, JJ and Mofo) appear on this new CD.
JP was voted by www.Truefire.com as one of their TOP 100 GUITARISTS “YOU SHOULD KNOW”!
It is clear that JPBlues searing, soulful guitar gives hope to the rebirth of passion and soul in music!
JP Soars
Not every blues artist can create a cohesive sound in the genre by weaving in a diversity of other influences, but guitarist and vocalist JP Soars is obviously not just any blues artist. A 2009 winner of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN with his band the Red Hots (and the festival's Albert King Award winner as best guitarist to boot), the Arkansas native toured extensively through the United States, Canada, South America and Europe with metal bands after relocating to South Florida, and is one of the few guitarists also capable of adding nuances of his long-standing, Django Reinhardt-inspired "Gypsy jazz" side project.
It all coalesces on Soars' upcoming fourth CD, Southbound I-95, recorded at the familiar Studio 13 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Dotted with special guests, its sessions reveal hints of soul, R&B, surf, reggae, roots and country music on both Soars originals and a sprinkling of surprising covers -- all of which enhance and modernize, rather than take away from, the disc's traditional blues undercurrent."
I like T-Bone Walker, Wes Montgomery, Django Reinhardt, Pete Fountain, Louis Armstrong, Guitar Slim, Muddy Waters, and Howlin' Wolf," Soars says. "But at the same time, I also love Willie Nelson, George Jones, Tito Puente, Black Sabbath, and old Metallica. If it moves me, I dig it."
Soars got bitten by the blues bug via a legendary source in 1988, when he won a guitar and two tickets in a raffle to see B.B. King in concert. Meeting the iconic guitarist and singer further enhanced the young musician's quest to learn more about the timeless power of the music. Soars started his blues recording career a decade ago with the 2008 release Back of My Mind, followed by More Bees With Honey (2011) and Full Moon Night in Memphis (2014). Collectively, his catalog has received extensive airplay on the XM Radio programs of Little Steven ("Underground Garage") and B.B. King ("Bluesville"); Top 50 status on the "Living Blues" charts, Blues Music Award nominations for "Best Contemporary Male Blues Artist of the Year," and "Best Blues CD" and "Album of the Year" accolades from the Palm Beach Post.
A gritty and expressive vocalist, Soars elicits signature tones from hollow-body guitars, plus a home-made two-string cigar box guitar for his incendiary slide guitar playing. All of which has helped him earn dates at the Baltic Sea Festival in Germany, the Liberation Day Festival in Holland, and other shows in France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Austria, and Colombia as well as road work throughout the United States and Canada.
In the past two years, Soars and the Red Hots have also played the Peer Blues Festival in Belgium, sharing the stage with Buddy Guy, Joe Bonamassa, Brian Setzer, and Larry Graham, and the Mississippi Delta Blues Festival in Caxias do Sul, Brazil before 10,000 people. After being discovered by the Brazilian festival's presenter while playing with his "Gypsy jazz" project at a South Florida venue, Soars and company played the side stage in that format, then headlined the main stage with full blues intensity at its ninth annual event.
For the past several years, Soars has additionally been part of the regional all-star blues act Southern Hospitality. Also featuring Tampa vocalist/guitarist Damon Fowler and Memphis vocalist/keyboardist Victor Wainwright, plus Red Hots drummer Chris Peet and Fowler's bassist Matt Walker, the Blind Pig recording artists earned a Blues Blast Award for "Best New Artist Debut Release" for their 2013 CD Easy Livin,' and have toured worldwide in-between the three bandleaders' own schedules. Southern Hospitality appears with a host of international blues icons on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise sailing out of Fort Lauderdale, FL in February.
Soars prides himself with having one of the tightest bands on the scene, with Red Hots bassist Cleveland Frederick and longtime drummer Chris Peet. The trio has extensive touring scheduled through the United States and Europe during the first half of 2018, in addition to appearances by popular demand at blues venues on both coastlines of South Florida, all in support of Southbound I-95. Both his all-star band and new Red Hots CD may have names framed in southern trajectory, but Soars' career is clearly on a northward upswing.
Judy Sings The Blues
"Judy Sings the Blues" performs contemporary, funky blues for private parties, festivals, entertainment venues, country clubs, community events and weddings. Based in Lewes Delaware.
Judy Mangini "Powerhouse vocals!!" "What Chops!!" "What Pipes!!" "WOW" are some of the descriptions people have used after hearing her sing! Judy is the lead vocalist and percussionist of Judy Sings the Blues and with her tremendously powerful and wide range vocals, she will draw you in from the time she hits the stage. She sings with passion, strength, clarity and feeling and not only do you hear the story, you feel it too. She has been singing in area bands since she was 16, but truly loves and enjoys singing the Blues. Growing up, performing is the only thing she has ever wanted to do and she has been writing her own songs since her early teens. Even though she has her own style and sound, she has been compared to Ann Wilson (Heart), Janis Joplin and more. Do yourself a favor!! Go check out Judy Sings the Blues !!!
Eric Zoeckler is the lead guitar player. He grew up in the Washington D.C. music scene of the 80s learning his chops from area legends including Danny Gatton, Billy Hancock and Robert Gordon. Playing the D.C. clubs as a teenager, Eric sharpened his chops in blues and rockabilly and was heavily influenced by the masters of the blues like BB King, Albert Collins and John Lee Hooker.
After relocating to Delaware in the early 90s, Eric formed June Evans & Mercy City and enjoyed playing many of the Atlantic City casinos, Philly and Wilmington clubs and local blues festivals for 15 years. More recently Eric played with Delaware Blues Hall of Famer Gretchen Emery.
Eric loves to entertain crowds and works hard to make sure everyone is having fun. As a singer and player, Eric draws energy from people and is engaging and fun to watch perform.
James Sudimak is the drummer for Judy Sings the Blues and has been playing drums since age 11. He attended The New School For Jazz & Contemporary Music in New York City from 2011 to 2013. Currently based in Sussex County, Delaware and is emerging in the local music and community theatre scene. Other interests include video games, art, and computer programming. He has the dynamics of a drummer who has been playing for decades! With impeccable ability, style, timing and rhythm, he is the icing on the cake for the band!!
Carl Thompson, bass player, is affectionately known as "Smiley" to those that know him and see him on stage. He has been playing in local bands for over forty years and you can tell he loves what he does!! He started out playing the clarinet in school, but did not enjoy it. So, his music teacher suggested he play the tuba, a "stringless bass" which he did, but soon there after, started showing a big interest in wanting to learn a bass WITH strings! Pretty much self taught, he is one of the finest and most solid bass players in the Delmarva area and exhibits feeling and expertise in every thump of every string. Providing a rich, mellow tone, rhythm and groove that shines through every song. A truly gifted bass player!
Playing the blues is not just playing music. It is a feeling from deep within your soul capturing the moments in life that make you or break you and telling a story people can relate to. Sharing your emotions with complete strangers and knowing they relate.....they've been there too....That is what we do. That is who we are.
Artists we like:
Susan Tedeschi, Danielle Nicole Band, Trampled Under Foot, Shemekia Copeland, Ella Fitzgerald, Etta James, Steve Vai, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Heart, Bonnie Raitt, Nina Simone, Keb Mo', Stevie Ray Vaughn, Allman Brothers, Jimi Hendrix, ZZ Top, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Albert King, B.B. King, Albert Collins, Junior Wells, Gary Moore and more.