The 12 Days of Turquoise - Starting Feb 1

Devon Allman: The 12 Days of Turquoise:

Audio Love Notes From Devon To His Fans:

Debut Solo CD, on Ruf Records, Out on February 12

Atlanta, GA – Starting on Friday February 1^st, Ruf Records recording artist, Devon Allman, will be sharing his thoughts on his debut solo release, Turquoise,  each day with an audio note gift for his fans leading up to the official release date, February 12^th. This will be posted on his social media sites:  Facebook page, his Twitter feed, YouTube Channel and website.

So tune in at 12PM Eastern Time, each day to get your dose of Devon Allman talking about Turquoise.

“These songs are very special to me,” says Allman. “It’s part ‘dusty road driving music’ and part ‘tropical getaway’ music. These are the stories, feelings and reflections from my last couple of decades of forging my musical path.”

Turquoise was produced and mixed by multi-Grammy winner Jim Gaines and recorded at his Bessie Blue Studios in Stantonville, Tennessee, as well as at Ardent Studios in Memphis. Devon Allman (vocals and guitars) is joined on the new CD in a core trio set-up that features his fellow Royal Southern Brotherhood bandmate Yonrico Scott (drums and percussion), as well as Myles Weeks (upright and electric bass). Special guests include Luther Dickinson (guitar), Samantha Fish (vocals), Ron Holloway (sax), Bobby Schneck Jr. (guitar) and Rick Steff (Hammond B3 organ).  Ruf Records is distributed by Allegro worldwide.

We here at Mark Pucci Media will also be posting these snippets of this so check us out on Facebook to tune in.  www.facebook.com/markpuccimedia

The following Devon Allman sites will be included:

www.devonallmanband.com

www.facebook.com/devonallman

www.twitter.com/devonallman

www.youtube.com/user/devonallmanmusic

"That's why musicians lose their minds... because the highs are so high and the lows are so low and there's no middle ground. Ever. And if there's a middle ground, you're a boring player."
--Col. Bruce Hampton

Skinny Molly Causes a "Haywire Riot" on New Ruf Records CD Out January 8

Skinny Molly Causes a Haywire Riot on New Ruf Records CD, Coming January 8

Band Led by Former Lynyrd Skynyrd Guitarist Mike Estes Already Making Waves in Europe

ATLANTA, GA – Ruf Records announces a January 8 U.S. release date for Haywire Riot, the new CD from rock quartet Skinny Molly, distributed nationally by the Allegro Corporation. Skinny Molly is led by lead singer/lead guitarist Mike Estes, a former member of the legendary Lynyrd Skynyrd, and also features Jay Johnson on lead guitar and backing vocals, Kurt Pietro on drums and Luke Bradshaw on bass and backing vocals. Haywire Riot was produced by Mike Estes and the band and recorded at Swamper Sound in Sheffield, Alabama, and Omni Sound in Nashville.

Skinny Molly recently finished an extensive tour of Europe, where the group has already built a substantial reputation based on hundreds of solid rockin’ live performances, and intends to emulate that success in their home country with the release of the new CD here.

“This band was supposed to be for fun; we thought no further ahead than a one-off tour of Europe back in '04, but it ended up being what I always wanted to do musically,” recalls Mike Estes about the band’s founding.  Haywire Riot is the album that Skinny Molly was destined to deliver when Mike first hooked up in 2004 with Kurt and original guitarist Dave Hlubek for that “one-off” tour that never stopped. Soon enough, a debut album – No Good Deed – was pricking ears with its early signs of greatness on cuts like “Straight Shooter” and “Better than I Should.” Now, with the lineup cemented and dedicated to the cause, it’s time for the knockout blow of this new release.

"It's great to have another guitar player in the studio for once,” says Estes. “The No Good Deed album was mostly me. Jay played his ass off on the new record."

Haywire Riot is an album that hijacks the modern rock scene, via the old-school values of stellar songwriting, white-hot chops, lyrics wrenched from the depths and performances that leave it all the studio floor. Step into Skinny Molly’s world and you’ll come face-to-face with the deceptive lover from “Lie to Me;” the girl hiding a gun in her glove box on “Too Bad to Be True;” and the poisonous call of liquor on “Devil in the Bottle,” a song Estes originally recorded in 1994 as a member of Lynyrd Skynyrd on their acoustic Endangered Species CD for Capricorn Records. With music that swings from the wrecking-ball riffs of “If You Don’t Care” to the reflective acoustic vibe of “None of Me No More,” this is maximum rock ‘n’ roll, zero pretension, and when Mike Estes roars: “Hey rock star, just shut up and rock!” on the track of the same name, there’s no doubt the Skinny Molly singer is leading by example.

"I poured everything I had into Haywire Riot,” exclaims Mike. “From the beginning when the pen hit the paper, until the last note of the finished CD. The songs on this album mean a lot to me personally; the subject matter is either from me or somebody I know...They originated from what's going on in my or a close friend's life. I'm glad I have a lot of life experiences to draw from, because I'm not a great fiction writer." 

Mike’s connections to the Skynyrd band go deep.  After striking up a friendship with Allen Collins while still a teenager, Mike’s first band, Helen Highwater, was both christened and given guidance by the late legendary guitarist (who once gave him an eight-hour guitar lesson). That bond deepened when the young band opened up Skynyrd’s ’87 Tribute Tour. Clearly, the Southern icons liked what they heard, and after a period as a behind-the-scenes writer in the early’90s, Mike was invited by Gary Rossington to join Skynyrd full-time.

Post-Skynyrd, Mike smashed the Billboard chart with his co-written “White Knuckle Ride” single (recorded while still with Skynyrd on the last session he did with them), and released two solo albums leading the band Driving Sideways – a self-titled CD and Brave New South – while remaining a fixture on magazine covers and music channels on the strength of his prolific talent. Back in 1995, he was inducted into the Hollywood Rock Walk of Fame, but with Skinny Molly, you sense he’s only just getting started.

With Mike Estes in the lineup, some guitarists might feel the pressure. Not Jay Johnson, the band’s six-string stinger missile and perhaps the only player capable of standing toe-to-toe with his frontman. Jay got his break at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio as a session guitarist for Malaco Records artist Mary Burns, and since then his talent has spread into writing, production and audio engineering. After early duties in Radio Tokyo, Jay joined The Rossington Band from 1986 to 1989 (a period during which he played on the Skynyrd Tribute Tour before more than a million fans and released two major-label LPs); and by 1994, he’d hooked up with Blackfoot’s Jackson Spires and Dave Hlubek in the Southern Rock Allstars. His stint as Blackfoot’s vocalist in 2006 makes him the ultimate backup singer for Skinny Molly, while many past shows alongside Mike – including several acoustic duo tours – mean he’s the perfect wingman.   

Kurt Pietro has been Skinny Molly’s drummer from the start and previously was a revered Michigan studio ace and a live powerhouse with early outfit, Crystal. He subsequently studied broadcasting and music at Michigan University, leading to a job at Omni Studios in Nashville, where on a fateful day when a visiting Mike asked if anyone could play a drum overdub, Kurt answered the call and has been there ever since.

Skinny Molly’s rhythm section was completed in 2007 when Luke Bradshaw signed on to play bass. Picking up the instrument at age 15, Luke’s talent on both electric and acoustic bass can also be heard alongside American Idol’s Bo Bice, Grand Ole Opry star George Hamilton IV, bluegrass artist Bobby Hicks, and Jesse McReynolds and the Virginia Boys.

Skinny Molly will continue to tour world-wide in support of Haywire Riot. For more information, visit www.skinnymollyrocks.com.

MARK PUCCI MEDIA ARTISTS GARNER 17 NOMINATIONS FROM THE BLUES FOUNDATION FOR THE 34th BLUES MUSIC AWARDS

ONLINE VOTING AND TICKET SALES NOW OPEN TO

BLUES FOUNDATION MEMBERS

ATLANTA, GA – Mark Pucci Media proudly congratulates all of our artists who received a total of 17 nominations when The Blues Foundation announced yesterday (December 12) the list of nominees for the 34th Annual Blues Music Awards. The Blues Music Awards are universally acknowledged as the highest honor for musicians and songwriters in Blues music. Winners will be announced on May 9, 2013, at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis. Online voting is now open to Blues Foundation members at www.blues.org.

Heading the list of Mark Pucci Media honorees with three nominations each are Mud Morganfield, who garnered nominations for Album of the Year, Traditional Blues Album and Traditional Blues Male Artist for his Severn Records label debut CD, Son of the Seventh Son; as well as Mighty Sam McClain, who earned nominations for Soul Blues Album, Soul Blues Male Artist and Song of the Year for “Too Much Jesus (Not Enough Whiskey),” the title track from his Mighty Music label CD release.

Canadian roots label powerhouse Stony Plain Records gathered nominations for Eric Bibb, who was tapped for Acoustic Album and Acoustic Artist based on his label debut CD, Deeper in the Well; and perennial nominee Maria Muldaur, who once again received a nomination for the Koko Taylor Award as Traditional Blues Female based on the response to her latest CD, …First Came Memphis Minnie.

El Paso-based Catfood Records had another strong year, capped by former BMA-winner Johnny Rawls, who received two nominations: in the Soul Blues Male Artist and Soul Blues Album categories for his Soul Survivor CD. Johnny is joined this year by singer (and current Living Blues magazine cover girl) Barbara Carr, who received a nod as Soul Blues Female Artist for her Catfood Records debut, Keep the Fire Burning.

Other Mark Pucci Media artists receiving nominations include folk-blues singer/songwriter Doug MacLeod (whose new CD will be coming out in March on Reference Recordings) for Acoustic Artist; Ruf Records’ artists Royal Southern Brotherhood for Rock Blues Album for their eponymous label debut CD; Fabulous Thunderbirds leader Kim Wilson for Instrumentalist – Harmonica; Sweetspot Records artist Al Basile for Instrumentalist – Horn; and Blue Duchess Records artist and former multiple BMA winner David Maxwell for the Pinetop Perkins Piano Player Award.

“It is not uncommon in any arts genre for beloved artists with strong releases to pull in a number of nominations, and that is one of the factors at work this year,” Jay Sieleman, The Blues Foundation’s President, said in announcing the nominations. “Yet there are also more than a dozen first-time nominees, plus the six Best New Artist nominees.  It is gratifying to see both groups rewarded—those who have been near the top for a while and those who are getting the recognition they have been long seeking.”

Tickets for the 34^th Blues Music Awards show are now on sale. Members receive seating preference at the Awards show and voting is now underway.  Blues Foundation members are the only fans who vote to decide which nominees will actually take home the Blues Music Award. Anyone can join The Blues Foundation by visiting their website at www.blues.org.

Once again, The Blues Music Awards will be broadcast live in their entirety on Sirius XM's B.B. King's Bluesville Channel and will be subsequently broadcast on public television.

Mark Pucci Media congratulates all of our artists and wishes them much success when the winners are announced in Memphis on May 9; and we encourage voters to consider all of our nominees. See you there!

www.markpuccimedia.com

Mark Pucci

Mark Pucci Media

5000 Oak Bluff Ct.

Atlanta, GA 30350-1069

(770) 804-9555

www.markpuccimedia.com

2008 Blues Foundation Recipient -
"Keeping the Blues Alive Award" -
Publicist

Girls With Guitars Live - Wilde/Smith/Fish - New release Review

I just received the new release, Girls With Guitars Live from Dani Wilde, Victoria Smith and Samantha Fish. This is a 2 disk set, one audio and 1 video and each of the disks has something that the other doesn't. I like that. Today I'm going to exclusively review the audio portion and will get the video reviewed as quickly as possible. The release opens with a butt kicking cover of the Stones' Bitch. I remember as a kid requesting this track on the radio , yeah we used to do that, and they couldn't play it because they couldn't say the name! This is a great rocker to open the show. Don't Go Making Me Cry, is an R&B based track with some fiery guitar work pushing things along nicely. Red Blooded Woman is a modern style 12 bar blues which could see a lot of airplay. It has the universal modern blues styling and extended guitar soloing to attract broad interest. Screamin' Jay Hawkins' I Put A Spell On You is always a welcome addition and in this case it is handled with a bit of a different vocal attack more with the sensitivity of Janis as opposed to the full out push that has been seen in other recent remakes. The guitar work on this track is also played on the down low with a San Francisco flair. The guitar tone is very warm and the solo's unpredictable. Excellent! Leaving Kind, based loosly on the Rollin' and Tumblin' sound, another track that could generate a bit of airplay has solid vocal work as well as smooth slide work under the track. Money To Burn has a really cool style which definitely has it's roots in the 60's. It puts me in the mind of Season of The Witch that Michael Bloomfield did at the Fillmore and also maybe influenced by work by Steven Stills and Led Zeppelin. It's a different song altogether but the groove and ambiance is there. A definite favorite. This is a long cooker giving Fish some leeway to burn! Juice Me Up, definitely on the lighter side and more of a radio track which could again draw broad audience. A guitar duo on this track cements the interest by concert goers. Smokey Robinson's Who's Loving You gets a solid soul treatment with clean smoky vocals. There is some gritty guitar work on the tail of this track that is again noteworthy. Down In The Swamp has a heavy lead instrumental melody which I like pretty well. The tone of the guitar on this portion of the track is really cool. There are a number of guitar things happening here at once and it doesn't sound crowded but complimentary. The lead guitar work on this track is nicely done. Mississippi Kisses has more of a jazz feel but with some ripping guitar lead. This is a nice track to get each of the players upfront and swinging. The recording concludes with Steve Miller's Jet Airliner. The track is sure again to be a great concert crowd pleaser.

  If you support live Blues acts, up and coming Blues talents and want to learn more about Blues news and Fathers of the Blues, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! -  ”LIKE”

 

Ruf Records Signs Devon Allman & Will Release His Debut Solo CD, "Turquoise," February 12, 2013

Ruf Records Signs Devon Allman and Will Release His Debut Solo CD, Turquoise, on February 12, 2013

New Album Produced by Multi-Grammy Winner Jim Gaines and Features Royal Southern Brotherhood Bandmate Yonrico Scott on Drums, Plus Special Guests Luther Dickinson and Samantha Fish

ATLANTA, GA – Ruf Records announces the signing of guitarist/singer Devon Allman and a February 12, 2013, release date for his debut solo album, Turquoise. Ruf Records is distributed in the U.S. by the Allegro Corporation. Turquoise was produced and mixed by multi-Grammy winner Jim Gaines and recorded at his Bessie Blue Studios in Stantonville, Tennessee, as well as at Ardent Studios in Memphis. Devon Allman (vocals and guitars) is joined on the new CD in a core trio set-up that features his fellow Royal Southern Brotherhood bandmate Yonrico Scott (drums and percussion), as well as Myles Weeks (upright and electric bass). Special guests include Luther Dickinson (guitar), Samantha Fish (vocals), Ron Holloway (sax), Bobby Schneck Jr. (guitar) and Rick Steff (Hammond B3 organ).  

Devon Allman is currently on tour in Europe as a member of Royal Southern Brotherhood, the Ruf Records band he formed along with Cyril Neville (percussion and vocals), Mike Zito (guitar and vocals), Charlie Wooton (bass) and Yonrico Scott (drums). The group’s debut self-titled CD was released in May and has been in the Top 15 on the Billboard blues chart for six months, also generating extensive radio airplay and rave critical reviews from the press.

Turquoise is loaded with very personal, honest and powerful tunes in its 11-track song list. In “Turn Off the World,” one of Devon’s most insightful compositions on the new CD, he asks to go where he can “wash off this rock and roll” so that he can cleanse his soul to start anew and refresh his mind after spending so much time on the road. “Homesick,” carries that sentiment further and was the first song written for Turquoise.

“The last 10 years I’ve spent in hotels, airplanes, taxis, truck stops, etc.,” says Allman about the track “This song is dedicated to my family for putting up with my absence.” He demonstrates his affinity for Latin and African music on the rhythmic “There’s No Time” (co-written by rising star guitarist Tyler Stokes); weaves an insightful autobiographical tale on “When I Left Home” (with guest Luther Dickinson adding some slinky lead and slide guitar); and pares down to the quietest of places on the lovely “Yadira’s Lullaby” (which recalls his late uncle Duane’s acoustic guitar on the classic “Little Martha”). Turquoise represents some of the finest work in Devon Allman’s career thus far, engaging in its scope and thrilling in its execution. This is an album of reflection of Devon’s past life and it’s the stories that only he can tell.

“These songs are very special to me,” says Allman. “It’s part ‘dusty road driving music’ and part ‘tropical getaway’ music. These are the stories, feelings and reflections from my last couple of decades of forging my musical path.”

The 10 originals on Turquoise include two co-written with RSB brother Mike Zito, plus a blazing version of Tom Petty’s “Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around” that really rocks, courtesy of some righteous vocals by Devon and special guest Samantha Fish.

Currently based in St. Louis, Devon Allman was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, where he grew up surrounded by a humble life along with his mother. His first love affair with music came at a young age, eventually becoming a spiritual calling that wouldn’t stop. It wasn’t long before he and his guitar joined bands, and in 1999 Devon formed his Southern rock jam band, Honeytribe. While his breakthrough into the music industry may have been blunted by his choice not to use his illustrious surname, it served the purpose of his having to avoid the burden of the barrage of questions about his famous father that even he was unsure of how to answer. It was when Honeytribe began to release CDs and tour nationally that interviews slowly began to trickle out that Devon was the son of one of the biggest names in rock music, Gregg Allman. Over the years, Devon has joined his illustrious dad as a special guest during The Allman Brothers Band’s legendary series of shows at the Beacon Theater in New York City. Today, he embraces who he is and where he’s been, knowing that he has paved his own way on Turquoise.

In addition to his continuing tour work as a member of Royal Southern Brotherhood, Devon Allman will support the release of Turquoise by hitting the road with his own band. Pre-release tour dates are already booked for shows during November and December in the northeast and Florida. Devon is managed by Rueben Williams of Thunderbird Management (thunderbird@viscom.net) and booked by Blue Mountain Artists (www.bmatours.com).

Ruf Records artist: Joanne Shaw Taylor - Almost Always Never - New Release Review

I just received Almost Always Never, the newest release from Joanne Shaw Taylor. This recording, to be released on September 12, 2012, shows a different side of Taylor but one that will appeal to a large number of listeners. Soul Station, the opening track, has a dance beat and JST's meaty vocals but the guitar work is along the lines of a Jeff Beck track with more reckless abandon while under total control in JST's able hands. Beautifully Broken and You Should Stay, I Should Go are both quick paced radio oriented tracks with hot guitar riffs bringing up the rear. Piece Of The Sky is a cool neo soul style track putting me in mind of the earliest Macy Gray recordings (which I really like). There is a really hot guitar solo on this track adding to the overall impact. Frankie Miller's Jealousy is the only track not written by JST on the recording. This is really a blues ballad executed to a tee by JST with a solid but understated vocal bed of blues laid down in from of an explosive frenzy of guitar work. Excellent! Tied and Bound is a straight up rocker with a heavy bottom. JTS grinds out more solid guitar work on this track well complimenting her vocal lead. Standing To Fall is another track that pushes the envelope almost into pure shredding and the heavy side of rock. JST handles the task effortlessly. Maybe Tomorrow opens with a very light touch and a jazzy rhythm pattern but after just a short time, JTS opens the doors and the guitar fills the room. This recording gives JST the opportunity to really explore progressive soloing while keeping the basic track relatively simple. The final track, Lose Myself To Loving You, is a very slick blues ballad that could easily hit it big on airplay.
JST is backed by David Garza (keys and mandolin), Billy White (Bass and slide) and JJ Johnson (drums).


If you like what I’m doing, Like ---Bman’s Blues Report--- Facebook Page! I’m looking for great talent and trying to grow the audience for your favorites band! - ”LIKE”

This is not a track from Joanne's new release but I couldn't find one... here's Joanne if you don't know her work:

RUF RECORDS SIGNS ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD & WILL RELEASE THEIR DEBUT SELF-TITLED CD,

RUF RECORDS SIGNS ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD & WILL RELEASE THEIR DEBUT SELF-TITLED CD, PRODUCED BY

GRAMMY-WINNER JIM GAINES, ON MAY 8

CYRIL NEVILLE, DEVON ALLMAN AND MIKE ZITO JOIN FORCES WITH CHARLIE WOOTON & YONRICO SCOTT TO FORM A RIGHTEOUS REGALITY OF

SOUTHERN BLUES-ROCK

NEW ORLEANS, LA – Ruf Records announces the signing of Royal Southern Brotherhood, which consists of Cyril Neville (percussion and vocals), Devon Allman (guitar and vocals), Mike Zito (guitar and vocals), Charlie Wooton (bass) and Yonrico Scott (drums), and will release the group’s debut self-titled CD on May 8. The new CD was produced by Grammy-winner Jim Gaines and recorded at Dockside Studio near Lafayette, Louisiana. Ruf Records is distributed in the U.S. by the Allegro Corporation.

Fans can get a preview of the new songs when the band does an early northeastern swing of dates, including a very special “After-Party” late show at B.B. King’s in New York City on March 9, the opening night of The Allman Brothers Band annual concert series at the Beacon Theater.

Royal Southern Brotherhood unites two legendary roots-rock bloodlines along with a rising star guitarist and an in-the-pocket rhythm section for one of the most highly-anticipated albums of the past decade. What started out as a rumor and a few informal local gigs at various New Orleans venues has developed into a full-fledged powerhouse of soulful sound that’s rockin,’ funky and all-together groove-a-licious. Incubated in the heat and humidity of a New Orleans summer in 2010, Cyril, Devon and Mike crossed paths and set in motion the beginnings of what would become Royal Southern Brotherhood, beginning with jams held at a secluded studio in the city’s Garden District. When the musical sparks began to fly and the personal chemistry coalesced, the trio began to explore the real idea of forming a band to bring this new music to life. Their debut show last September at the city’s Rock ‘n’ Bowl tore the roof off the place and launched a horde of YouTube videos that burned across the internet.

Royal Southern Brotherhood has it all: incendiary playing with the twin lead guitars of Allman and Zito, coupled with Neville’s funky percussion work and the rhythm section of Wooton and Scott that literally kicks ass; lead vocals and three-part harmonies that drip with soul and passion; and a boatload of songs that deliver on the promise of what the band brings to the table with its musical chops.

Cyril Neville is a part of the first family of New Orleans roots and funk. Beginning in the 1970s, Neville soared both as a solo performer and as a member in a host of other groups, most notably the iconic band, The Meters. Cyril went on to add his percussion and vocals to such classic Meters albums as Cabbage Alley (1972) and Fire on the Bayou (1975) and joined the group when they were personally invited by Mick Jagger to open the Rolling Stones stadium tour of 1975. Also included in his long resume is work with another legend, The Neville Brothers, as well as with Bob Dylan, Bono, Willie Nelson, Galactic and his own band, Tribe 13.

Although Devon Allman grew up in St. Louis apart from his father, one listen to his smoky vocals demonstrates that apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Coupled with a guitar style that would have made his uncle Duane proud, Devon set out to create his own place in the music world, forming the band Honeytribe in 1999 and touring all over the world. His blues-rock style of guitar work and soulful singing clearly stamped him as an emerging light within the blues-rock realm. He’s had a Top 10 hit in Spain with Javier Vargas, recorded on albums with the legendary Jack Bruce and jammed with musical heavyweights Les Paul and Bill Gibbons. And he’s even been known to show up onstage with that group his daddy still leads after over 40 years, The Allman Brothers Band.

Former St. Louis native Mike Zito has been a rising star in blues for the past several years, both as a performer and a producer. He’s already picked up some hardware within the blues world, having won the Blues Music Award in 2010 as “Song of the Year” for the title track of Pearl River, which he co-wrote with Cyril Neville. Mike’s currently nominated for another BMA, this time as “Rock Blues Album” for his latest CD, Greyhound. With Zito having been a former St. Louis touring circuit contemporary of Devon Allman, the meeting of the two in the RSB was destined as an organic serendipity.

Forming the rock-solid foundation of the band and stirring up the musical gumbo sound of Royal Southern Brotherhood are bassist Charlie Wooton and drummer Yonrico Scott, both with ties to Atlanta (Wooton now lives in New Orleans). Before relocating to the Crescent City, Wooton’s snaky bass lines were a mainstay of the Atlanta club circuit, playing with his own band, as well as Zydefunk and jamming with the Wood Brothers. Yonrico Scott’s drumming was a featured part with his long-time membership in The Derek Trucks Band. He’s also played with a host of others including the Col. Bruce Hampton and Ike Stubblefield aggregations and jammed onstage with Gregg Allman, Bonnie Bramlett and The Allman Brothers Band.

Royal Southern Brotherhood will tour extensively in support of their new CD, including both club showcases, as well as festival performances, such as the Baton Rouge Blues Festival on April 14. The band is managed and booked by Reuben M. Williams of The Thunderbird Management Group (985-798-5665; thunderbird@viscom.net). To download a hi-res color photo of the band, click on this link: Mark Pucci Media - Royal Southern Brotherhood

For more information, visit www.royalsouthernbrotherhood.com and www.rufrecords.de.

ROYAL SOUTHERN BROTHERHOOD TOUR DATES

3/7 Katherine Hepburn PAC Old Saybrook, CT

3/8 Infinity Hall Norfolk, CT

3/9 B.B. King’s New York, NY

3/10 Club Helsinki Hudson, NY

3/11 The Bull Run Shirley, MA

3/13 Treasure Lake Ski Lodge Dubois, PA

3/30 The Tbois Blues Festival Larose, LA

3/31 Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl New Orleans, LA

4/13 The House of Blues New Orleans, LA

4/14 Baton Rouge Blues Festival Baton Rouge, LA

4/15 The French Quarter Festival New Orleans, LA

4/27 Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl New Orleans, LA

5/4 The Republic New Orleans, LA

5/6 Mid City Rock ‘n’ Bowl New Orleans, LA

5/11 & 5/12 Brick and Mortar San Francisco, CA

5/16 The Compound Grill Phoenix, AZ

5/17 Anthology San Diego, CA

5/19 Moe’s Alley Santa Cruz, CA

5/20 The Powerhouse Pub Folsom, CA

5/27 Party at the Point Gulfport, MS

6/7 Whiskey Roadhouse Council Bluffs, IA

6/8 Olathe Music Series Olathe, KS

6/9 Sioux City Community Theater Sioux City, IA

6/10 The Round Barn Memphis, MO

6/12 Woodlands Tavern Columbus, OH

6/13 Riverbend Festival Chattanooga, TN

6/14 Young Avenue Deli Memphis, TN

6/15 Third & Lindsley Nashville, TN

6/17 The Arts Center Carrboro, NC

6/22 Leura Hill Eastman PAC Fryeburg, ME

6/23 The Flying Monkey PAC Plymouth, NH

6/24 Paulie’s NOLA Jazz Fest Worcester, MA

6/29 Blues, Brews and BBQ Festival Champaign, IL

Bitch - Girls With Guitars

The name says it all. “Girls with Guitars” – the 2011 Ruf Records Blues Caravan Tour – presents three of the scene’s hottest young female guitar slingers on a single stage.
Over the past six years, the Blues Caravan has toured successfully in the UK, USA and throughout continental Europe. This unique triple bill revue has helped introduce bright new stars such as Ana Popovic and Joanne Shaw Taylor to an international audience. Following in their footsteps on the 2011 tour is a trio of dynamic, up-and-coming blues talents: Dani Wilde, Cassie Taylor and Samantha Fish.
Hailing from Brighton, England, Dani Wilde sings the blues with the old-school fervor of Aretha Franklin, but also takes a cue from contemporaries like Duffy and Joss Stone. The singer/songwriter/guitarist has just released her second album, Shine, a collaboration with renowned producer Mike Vernon (Eric Clapton, Fleetwood Mac). She has shared stages with luminaries like Robben Ford, Candye Kane and Koko Taylor. Says Paul Jones of BBC Radio 2: “Dani Wilde's voice is astounding, with a unique raw passion and energy. She sings with more conviction and passion than old legends from the Mississippi Delta.”
At the tender age of 21, Samantha Fish is already a hot property on the live music scene in and around her hometown of Kansas City, Missouri. She discovered the blues almost by accident as a teenager, but it has since become her singular mission in life. Her high-heeled, rock-edged performances have won her a loyal local following and carried her to venues like Rosa’s Lounge in Chicago, where she opened eyes during the 2010 Chicago Blues Festival. 2011 seems destined to be her breakout year.
Proud to call herself the “Daughter of a Bluesman,” multi-instrumentalist Cassie Taylor has appeared on eight critically-acclaimed albums by her father, Otis Taylor, and accompanied him on tours all over the world. She was also a featured vocalist on Gary Moore’s 2008 release Bad For You Baby. Still just in her early 20s, Cassie has been hailed for her commanding stage presence and “heavenly” voice (Boston Globe). Her music ranges from heart-wrenching ballads to hard-driving blues. Like her father, Taylor doesn’t shy from topical subject matter, nor shrink from breaching musical boundaries.
This trio of young, passionate performers is backed by a top-flight band of road-tested professionals for more than two hours of live blues excellence.
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Hoochie Coochi Man - Oli Brown

Oli Brown (born 23 May 1989) is a British blues singer-songwriter He was signed to the German blues label, Ruf Records, in January 2008. He released his debut album, Open Road, in July 2008 to good reviews.

Oli's second album, Heads I Win Tails You Lose, was released in 2010, and was produced by Mike Vernon. In the same year, Brown made his debut at the Glastonbury Festival.

Classic Rock magazine voted Heads I Win Tails You Lose the #3 blues album of 2010. Mojo voted it the #4 blues album of 2010.

At the 2010 British Blues Awards, Brown was named 'Best Male Vocalist' and 'Best Young Artist
Write on our Facebook Wall or post your Photos of great blues events! -  Here

Ruf Records artist: My Home is a Prison - JW-JONES

Here's a cool blues tune from JW - Jones!JW-Jones has one of the most energetic and exciting live shows on the scene. It is no surprise that he has played throughout the world (CANADA, USA, EUROPE, AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL) and some of the biggest names in blues today, including The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Rod Piazza, Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers, The Mannish Boys and the legendary Hubert Sumlin have invited him to join them on stage.

New Ruf Records release : Voodoo Moon - Savoy Brown - review

Savoy Brown started as a more traditional blues band back in the 60's but became almost synonymous with Boogie during the 70's. Although band leader, Kim Simmonds has remained a constant with the band over the years a compliment of other players in the group have influenced the general sound widely. Early Savoy Brown albums such as "Raw Sienna", "Street Corner Talking" and "Looking In" firmly planted Savoy Brown in the modern "bone chilling" blues bands with a slow melding into album oriented music in "Hellbound Train". By the early 70's and the release of "Lions Share's" rock hit "Tell Mama" cast a new stone into the fire. With new addition of Chicken Shacks Stan Webb and the departure of Dave Peverett along with the bands rhythm section (to form Foghat) the band started off on a journey of continuous experimentation producing a number of interesting blues rock oriented recordings.

This new Savoy Brown release (cd or Vinyl!!) is possibly the best release since the the late 80's!! There have been some great live releases by the band but none of their studio releases were really on par with the band that was Savoy Brown up until the mid 70's. Now I have kept up with the band and have seen them personally live possibly 10 times in the past 7 years and they are always great in concert. Kim Simmonds is an incredible guitar player and extremely personable. A guy who would play all night for you and likely buy you a beer afterwards...just a great guy!

I know that their tour repertoire always includes a healthy dose of traditional Savoy Brown great songs but I can honestly say this release will be adding some great material to this group of songs and I am anxiously awaiting the bands return to town.

This is a band if you haven't seen...and you love blues guitar...is a must see!!

And this is a great release. Kims guitar tone is clean with a lot of grit as usual and the new vocalist is a great addition. Do you get the feeling that I like it?

Grab a copy!
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New Release from Ruf Records: Memphis Mojo - Louisiana Red and Little Victor's Juke Joint - Review

I just got done listening to the new Louisiana Red release. It's really entertaining. It has a real authentic sound and you wanna keep looking at it and wondering when it was cut. I've played it 3 times already this morning and I can say I really think it's a cool cd cut in the traditions of Mud, Jr Wells, and many of the original "delta born city musicians". This one is a real keeper!

Enjoy!!
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New on Ruf Records: Shine - Dani Wilde - New Release review

I just received the new release "Shine" by Dani Wilde. The release has a smooth club like environment with tasty guitar licks and solid mellow vocals in a very clean presentation. Nine of the 11 tracks on the release are new and written by Wilde. The release is produced by renowned Mike Vernon who has produced a lot of the British greats including Mayall, Clapton & Fleetwood Mac. The recording is strongly airworthy and vocal.

It is well put together and solid. I'm certain it will find a broad audience of listeners.

Enjoy!
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Let me Love You Baby - Lightnin' Malcolm

Music has always been part of Lightnin’ Malcolm’s heart and soul. From the moment he discovered an old raggedy guitar w/ a couple of strings and cassette of Muddy Waters his life and the music world would change forever. Malcolm’s journey began near the railroad tracks in rural Southeast Missouri. For several years Malcolm traveled the world spreading his love for the blues. It wasn’t until Malcolm settled in North Mississippi that he had a musical epiphany. He was drawn to the hill country blues first made famous by Fred McDowell and later R.L. Burnside, Junior Kimbrough and Jessie Mae Hemphill.
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The music unites musicians and audience as they interact in a hypnotic dance with everybody rejoicing to the power and joy of the music we call the Blues!

JW Jones Blues Band

JW-Jones (born July 15, 1980) is a Canadian blues guitarist, singer and band leader. Jones is signed to the NorthernBlues Music label in Toronto, Canada, CrossCut Records in Europe, and Ruf Records in USA. In the last decade, he has released six albums and played in 17 countries, 4 continents, over 260 cities and over 1000 appearances. Jones, who lives in Ottawa, Ontario, has performed at blues festivals and clubs in Canada, US, Europe, Australia, and Brazil. He records and tours with drummer Jeff Asselin, and Hammond organ player Jesse Whiteley. "J-Dub" endorses Gibson Guitars.
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ANA POPOVIC "UNCONDITIONAL" Tour Schedule

Ana Popovic is widely regarded as one of world's very best female guitar-players. Her new album, "Unconditional," was recorded at the famous Piety Street recording studios in New Orleans and is Ana's sixth studio release. It was produced by Ana Popovic and Grammy Award winning producer John Porter. "I recorded in eclectic cities like Memphis and Los Angeles, but always wanted to go to New Orleans to capture something of their rich musical history," says Popovic who was born in Belgrade, Serbia. "I loved being in New Orleans for a period of three months. I love everything about that city - its vibe, spirit and optimism, and not to forget, hospitality and kindness of the people. I think it influenced the album in more ways than just musically."



Popovic was recently honored to appear as a special guest at B.B. King's German shows. Her previous studio release, "Still Making History" made its way to #3 on the U.S. Billboard blues chart for a total of 19 weeks. On 2011's "Unconditional," Ana truly is a guitar goddess – illustrating a daring slide on a powerful guitar record that presents a soulful fusion of contemporary and classic blues. The album features a representation of New Orleans' finest musicians such as renowned slide guitarist Sonny Landreth, the amazing Jon Cleary and David Torkanowski on Hammond B3 and piano, Calvin Turner on bass and Doug Belote on drums. "I was fortunate to have the fabulous Sonny Landreth - my slide idol since my Belgrade years - to play on the album, a dream come true,'' says Popovic. Also the incredible harp player Jason Ricci makes a guest appearance.

08/19/11: Wausau, WI – Big Bull Falls Blues Festival

08/20/11: Norwich, NY – Chenango Blues Festival

08/21/11: Buffalo, NY – Sportemens Tavern

08/24/11: Annapolis, MD – Ram's Head w/ Walter Trout

08/25/11: New York City, NY – Hill Country BBQ

08/26/11: Teaneck, NJ – Mexicali Live

08/27/11: Rockland, ME – MV Monhegan Cruise

08/28/11: Marshfield, MA – North River Blues Festival

09/03/11: Long Beach, CA – Long Beach Blues Festival

09/05/11: Roanoke, VA – Blue 5

09/07/11: Omaha, NE – TBA

09/08/11: Lincoln, NE – Zoo Bar

09/09/11: Columbia, MO – Roots 'N' Blues BBQ Festival

09/10/11: Kansas City, MO - Knucklehead's w/ Walter Trout

09/11/11: Wichita, KS – Brickyard W/ Walter Trout

09/13/11: San Angelo, TX – Sealy Flats

09/14/11: Austin, TX – Antone's

09/15/11: San Antonio, TX – Sam's Burger Joint

09/16/11: Houston, TX – Dan Electro's

09/17/11: Grapevine, TX – Grapefest

09/23/11: San Francisco, CA – Biscuits & Blues

09/24/11: San Luis Obispo, CA – SLO Vets Hall

09/25/11: Guerneville, CA – Russian River Jazz & Blues Festival

09/29/11: Kaiserslautern, Germany – Kammgarn Int. Blues Festival

09/30/11: Bocholt, Germany – Alte Molkerei

10/01/11: Bielefeld, Germany – Jazz Club Beilefeld

10/06/11: Prague, Czech Republic – Lucerna Music Bar

10/07/11: Uhersky Brod., Czech Republic – Dum Kultur

10/08/11: Nuess, Germany – Hamtorkrug

10/09/11: Hoogland, The Netherlands – De Noot

10/12/11: Redange, Luxembourg – L'inoui Theater

10/13/11: Redange, Luxembourg – L'inoui Theater

10/20/11: Oslo, Norway – Oslo Bluesclubb

10/21/11: Finnsnes, Norway – Rocktober Festival

11/04/11: Unna, Germany – Lindenbrauerei

11/05/11: Freudenburg, Germany – Ducsaal

11/11/11: Bremen, Germany – Meisenfrei

11/12/11: Lubeck, Germany – Riders Café

11/18/11: Vlissingen, The Netherlands – Het Arsenaaltheater

11/19/11: Rheinberg, Germany – Schwarzer Adler

11/21/11: Ruiselede, Belgium – Banana Peel

11/24/11: Esslingen, Germany – Dieselstrasse

11/25/11: Burgbernheim, Germany – Rossmuhle

11/26/11: Tongeren, Belgium – Rockstage

12/01/11: Aschaffenburg, Germany – Colos-saal

12/06/11: Bremen, Germany – Meisenfrei

12/07/11: Lubeck, Germany – Riders Café

12/08/11: Flensburg, Germany – Roxy Music Hall

12/15/11: Dortmund, Germany – Musiktheater Piano

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SONGS FROM THE ROAD - LUTHER ALLISON

Luther Allison (August 17, 1939 – August 12, 1997) was an American blues guitarist. He was born in Widener, Arkansas and moved with his family, at age twelve, to Chicago in 1951. He taught himself guitar and began listening to blues extensively. Three years later he began hanging outside blues nightclubs with the hopes of being invited to perform. He played with Howlin' Wolf's band and backed James Cotton.

His big break came in 1957 when Muddy Waters invited Allison to the stage. He worked the club circuit throughout the late 1950s and early 1960s and recorded his first single in 1965. Allison was signed to the Delmark Records label in 1967 and released his debut album Love Me Mama the following year. A well-received set at the 1969 Ann Arbor Blues Festival resulted in his being asked to perform there each of the next three years. He also toured nationwide and, in 1972, was signed to Motown Records, the first and one of the few blues artists to do so.[3] By the mid 1970s he began touring Europe and moved to France in 1977. He would not return to the United States for another fifteen years. Allison was known for his concert performances, lengthy guitar solos and crowd walking with his Gibson Les Paul.



Allison's manager, and European agent, Thomas Ruf founded the label Ruf Records in 1994. Signing with Ruf Records, Allison launched a comeback in association with Alligator Records. Alligator founder, Bruce Iglauer, convinced Allison to return to the United States. The album Soul Fixin' Man was recorded and released in 1994, and Allison toured the U.S. and Canada. Allison won four W.C. Handy Awards in 1994. With the James Solberg Band backing him, non-stop touring and the release of Blue Streak (featuring song "Cherry Red Wine"), Allison continued to earn more Handys and gain wider recognition. Allison scored a host of Living Blues Awards and was featured on the cover pages of major blues publications.



He appeared at the 1995 San Francisco Blues Festival.



Allison covered "You Can't Always Get What You Want" for the 1997 Rolling Stones' tribute album, Paint it Blue: Songs of the Rolling Stones.



In the middle of his summer of 1997 tour, Allison checked into a hospital for dizziness and loss of coordination. It was discovered that he had a tumor on his lung that had metastasized to his brain. In and out of a coma, Allison died on August 12, 1997, five days before his 58th birthday, in Madison, Wisconsin.[2] His album Reckless had just been released. His son Bernard Allison, at one time a member of his band, is now a solo recording artist.
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Packed My Bags - Joanne Shaw Taylor

Joanne Shaw Taylor is a British blues guitarist and singer who was discovered by Dave Stewart of the Eurythmics at age 16. In 2009 she released her debut album 'White Sugar' on Ruf Records. Her sophomore release was 2010's 'Diamonds In The Dirt' also on Ruf Records. In 2010 she won Best Female Vocalist at the British Blues Awards. Taylor makes her home in Detroit, Michigan.
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Unconditional - Ana Popovic New release review

Just got the newest release from Ana Popovic. The album is really well produced and the guitar playing is actually really really tasty. Anyone who has heard Ana before knows what to expect from her vocals. In some cases I think she is just a little too polished but as I write this I listen to "One Room Country Shack" and it is a perfect blend of more raw vocal and hot blistering guitar riffs... "worth the price of admission" as they say. The cd also features the incredible slide guitar talents of Sonny Landreth and Bluesharp man Jason Ricci. I'll be listening to this for a few days to let it settle in. My first impression after listening to it only 2 or 3 times is "parts are great and parts are good". The guitar playing is consistent and interesting throughout. I'm a hard guy to please so that's a good rating.

House Burning Down - Ana Popovic

Ana Popović (Serbian Cyrillic: Ана Поповић, born 1976, Belgrade, Serbia) is a blues guitarist and singer.
Ana Popović's father first introduced her to the blues, through an extensive record collection and sessions hosted at the family home. Popović founded her first serious band at age nineteen. Within a year, she was playing outside of Yugoslavia and opening shows for American blues icons like Junior Wells. Her band Hush released their debut album, Hometown in 1998. The next year, Popović relocated to the Netherlands to study jazz guitar. She quickly became a fixture on the Dutch blues scene and soon ventured into neighboring Germany. Today Ana and her 4-piece band are booked all over the globe, playing major blues / jazz and rock festivals all over Europe, the US and Canada.

In 2003, she was nominated for a W. C. Handy Award in the United States.
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