These songs are a compilation of my favorite tunes during the Grunge music period. These artist, in my honest opinion, played a significant part in starting the grunge movement and crossing over to mainstream radio play during the 90's. Enjoy! - Bluesdaddy
ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Rock / southern rock / indie rock
Members: Paul Gerdts- Vocals, Patrick Bitbol- Guitars, Brother Sal- Guitars/Vocals, Chris Ball- Bass, Andrei Koribanics- Drums
A glorious return to the blues-driven, from-the-gut Rock and Roll that has been sadly missing from the world for far too long, Ghost & the Big Sky is a musical powerhouse built for performance. Original members Paul Gerdts (vocals) and Patrick Ruben Bitbol (guitar) have been composing soulful, musical stories together for years and formed a band to tell them. The band went through several line-ups as different faces entered and exited, but with the addition of Brother Sal (guitar/vocals) as a third songwriter, the vision really started to take shape. In the summer of 2011, long-time musical partners Chris Ball (bass) and Andrei Koribanics (drums) were recruited to lay anchor and complete the equation.
Bad To The Bone - George Thorogood & The Destroyers
The biggest song on this album is "Bad To The Bone" which has been a major hit for George Thorogood for as long as I can remember. "Bad To The Bone" is the 5th studio album for Thorogood and went Gold. You can also hear Rolling Stones sideman Ian Stewart on keyboards. I've been a long time follower of Thorogood. His songs have always got me singing along. Is that what good music really does? - Bluesdaddy
No album epitomized the latin rock fusion sound than War's "Why Can't We Be Friends". The members of War grew up in Compton and although a culturally rich group, their roots in the Latino community were well represented in this album. It is one of my favorites albums and worth a listen if you want to expand your taste buds to a different sound. - Bluesdaddy
This sibling trio from San Angelo, TX finds it's inspiration from blues, Tex-Mex, rock, conjunto and tejano music. Henry Garza is both guitarist and lead singer of the three with an exceptional bassist in JoJo Garza and equally as talented is Ringo Garza. Their signature sound is rooted in their father's band the Falcones while they were growing up. They're unique sound in vocals as a chorus group is not to be underestimated. I first discovered Los Lonely Boys in 2003 when this album came out and I checked them out in concert at Gilley's in Ft. Worth and they did not disappoint. This is a must collection in your greatest albums list. - Bluesdaddy
Genres: Blues / Classic Rock
Label: Ruf Records
Management: Peter Carson, Peter Carson Productions, peter@petercarsonproductions.com, Promoagogo
ARTIST BIO
Born in Toronto, Canada, to a Portuguese father and a French-Canadian mother, Gomes began playing guitar in his early teens and was drawn to the blues sounds of BB King, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and Jimi Hendrix. While hoing his skills in the blues bars at night, Gomes earned a Master's Degree from the University of Toronto in the 'Racial Evolution of Blues'.
He relocated to Chicago in the late '90s to learn from the blues masters and to establish himself as a musician and artist. During his brief stint as a sideman for Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Gomes put together his own group and won the first annual Buddy Guy’s Legends “Best Unsigned Blues Band” competition in 1998. Three years later, he moved to Nashville to sharpen his skills as a songwriter.
Gomes made his recording debut in 1998 with “Blues in Technicolor“. The disc introduced him as a guitar-slinger loaded with impressive firepower. Instead of following up with more of the same, Gomes boldly stepped back for an intimate acoustic offering in 2000 with the critically acclaimed "Sweet Stringin' Soul."
In 2002, he released “Unity” and proceeded to win the 2003 BluesWax Artist of the Year award. This accolade elevated Gomes to the top of the blues field, and consequently he was able to draw larger crowds to his live performances, which increased in frequency and scope. Gomes’ endless touring kept him atop the blues field, as he continued to be nominated for BluesWax Artist of the Year awards several years in a row.
“Music Is the Medicine“, released in 2006, peaked at number four on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart. Produced by Jim Gaines (SRV,Santana), the disc featured collaborations with hit songwriters, including Jim Peterik, Mark Selby and Tom Hambridge. 2008’s “LIVE”, is Gomes’ greatest commercial success to date, reaching number one on the Billboard Top Blues Albums chart.
Gomes is currently in the final stages of recording a new studio album tentatively titled "Up 2 Zero" which is slated for a fall release.
ARTIST BIO
CD "Road to Texas" is available here :
http://mezcaleros-music.com/
Quickly to 15, I had my first guitar, a stratocaster (even then) and a 10 watt amp with an unknown brand ...
Fast enough, having an attraction to the sounds fuzzy, I turned to the heroes of the day and turned on the radio ... ever: La Grange ZZ Top ...After a few groups, I disappeared ...
In early 2000, I bought an acoustic and I listened ... more Clapton and JJ Cale at the time ...A guitar led to another and soon I found myself with a dozen guitars, banjo and dobro ...
HOME STUDIO landed the meantime, and while I was learning to play without an amp with modeling systems ...I finally build and equip a recording studio at home ...I put some songs online and in less than a month on the sites, I found myself with 1000 fans and more than 25000 plays ...
So I decided to continue to see where it would lead me ...
I like ZZ Top, JJ Cale, Clapton, SRV, sounds fuzz and dust, the desert ... my many trips to the USA I have wrought in this direction and in that style ...Today Mezcaleros is a concentrate of all that ... I am on rotation on several radios, Belgium, France, Texas, California, Germany and UK… It is just the beginning !!!
Rock / Blues with heavy sounds and penetrating, a melody that is easy to remember and hit all those who listen ...And on stage, it will power 1000 ... These are the fans who brought me here ... so I continue ... for them!
Currently I'm on gauge mycornerbar.com a participative website where people who love can deposit money to help me make my CD, I have 3 months to collect 11,300 euros after it explode!
Put Mark Knopfler's voice, SRV feeling, Rose tatoo energy and ZZ Top Texas sounds in a shaker...Shake during 20 years .... Its MEZCALEROS .............See Mezcaleros soon in your bins and music sites ... You can hear Breakdown Limousine now, one of the 20 songs I got …
ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Blues / Rock / Country
Label: Ferris Music Publishing
Management: Ferris Music Publishing BMI
ARTIST BIO
THE NEW SOUND OF THE TEXAS BLUES! Texas musician,multi-instrumentalist, recording artist, singer-songwriter of "Don't Mess With Texas" fame, James Ferris has performed for millions of fans throughout his career including national television shows and award winning commercials.
Ferris has performed WITH (not opening for) many major acts including (but not limited to) James Brown, Stevie Ray, Freddie King, Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones), Eric Johnson (album), Johnny Dee & the Rocket 88's, Bad Rodeo, John Earl's Boogieman Band, Voodoo Lounge, Brat, Celebration, Sante Fe, The Bluenotes even Mel Torme and many others.
Being a full-time musician/entertainer, when James is not working on his own original career, he is the most sought after "Mick Jagger" impersonator in the country, with his uncanny resemblance and voice to match rock icon. James and his band are currently recording their third album to be released early summer of 2011.
THE NEW SOUND OF THE TEXAS BLUES
With a career that spans over five decades, James Ferris' musical talents (piano, Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizers, guitar, bass guitar, harmonica, and vocals) are as diversified as his influences. From Amadeus to the Animals and all points in between…Elvis Presley to Elvis Costello, Todd Rundgren, Stones to the Beatles, Stevie Ray to Stevie Wonder, Carol and B.B. King, just to name a few.
James has performed at almost every club in the Dallas/Fort Worth area during the 60’s and 70’s and many others thru out the U.S. and beyond. James has also played keyboards or fronted for some of the most popular local and regional acts since the mid-sixties. 1964-1966 he played with The Seventh Street Prophets, one of the few bands playing at that time. This was also James’ first experience with recording; the band released a 45 titled Everybody Needs Somebody (a Stones hit).
1968 to 1970 James continues to climb the ladder being hired by Santa Fe; just three days before opening and touring with Three Dog Night. Managed by Ray Dennis and Beverly Beard, who wanted a bigger sound for the three piece, had James learn their entire show on keyboards in just a matter of hours. Besides touring with Three Dog Night, they also opened for Spirit and others. At the Dallas Memorial Coliseum opening for “3 Dog”, James’ parents saw their “long hair son” and proclaimed lovingly “I guess those piano lessons finally paid off!”
Tommy Katona (Tamas Katona), born August 15th 1984, was raised in Pecs, Hungary. At the early age of four, the late, great Stevie Ray Vaughan became one of his biggest musical influences. It began one day, while he was watching one of his father’s videos of the Texan legend playing. Tommy’s father, Tamas Katona Sr., is also a great blues guitarist. When Tommy saw his father performing live, it inspired him to pursue music as his path in life.
At the age of nine Tommy started playing with his dad’s band and was regarded as a child prodigy. In the mid 90’s, he had numerous successful shows, as well as TV and radio performances in Hungary. As he was growing up, Tommy’s infatuation with playing the blues developed. One day, Tommy’s dad told him about the sudden and tragic passing of Stevie Ray Vaughan. Tommy then decided to learn more about Stevie’s music and life so that he could follow in his footsteps. During this time he was also studying the music of the old great blues musicians. His inspirations were: T-Bone Walker, Albert Collins, BB King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix and at last but not least his father Tamas Sr. Even though Tommy spent over four years in music school learning to read and write music, he always learns and composes by ear. American blues music, especially Stevie Ray Vaughan’s, highly influenced the young player.
A few highlights of his early life were: opening for Mick Taylor of the Rolling Stones, playing with Memphis blues legend Eb Davis, sharing a stage with Muddy Water’s son, Big Bill Morganfield and the great Chicago harmonica player Sugar Blue.
Tommy’s big dream was that someday he could go to Texas to play the blues. Just a few years later his dream came true. His first visit to Texas was in 2006. He attended the Stevie Ray Vaughan fan club tour and the SRV Ride and concert in Dallas. He was able to play with local Texas greats such as Wes Jeans, Texas Slim, Jim Suhler, Cheryl Arena and Alan Haynes. After his three week trip to Texas he went back to Hungary bearing many great experiences. Texas was pulling at his heartstrings and he was ready to go back.
Meanwhile, Tommy recorded and released his first original album “Let Your Fingers Bleed”. He began touring in the spring of 2007. Tommy and his Hungarian band “Full Blast” were fortunate enough to play at the Puisto Blues Festival in Finland. They had the prodigious opportunity to open for the great Johnny Winter. They also played in Italy and opened for Cyril Neville of the Neville Brothers. After the summer tour Tommy decided to return to Texas to try and start a new life. As an only child it was very hard to say goodbye to his parents. Knowing well this was his only chance to be a successful musician, Tommy’s parents released him to his destiny.
Tommy landed in Dallas on October 3. 2007. Stevie Ray’s birthday. A chance circumstance!
After living with a close friend for a year and a half, Tommy found the love of his life, Rachel. They got married on September 1. 2009. While in Texas, Tommy played with many musicians and had different musical projects. One more of his dreams came true when he played with Double Trouble bassist Tommy Shannon at the Granada Theater in Dallas! As well as constant performances, Tommy also teaches guitar during the day. His favorite guitar always has, and always will be a Fender Stratocaster!
ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Blues / Rock / Jazz Label: Shrapnel Label Group / Blues Bureau International Official Site: http://www.rickderringer.com/
ARTIST BIO
Young guitar great, vocalist and entertainer Rick Derringer was just 17 when his band The McCoys(TM)recorded the No.1 hit "Hang On Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, knocking "Yesterday" by The Beatles out of the top spot. The McCoys had enjoyed four years of successful touring, when Rick merged his talents with Johnny Winter in 1969 forming Johnny Winter And (And referring to The McCoys).
Rick was the only producer of all gold and platinum Winter Brothers recordings.
In '71 Rick was featured on three records, "Johnny Winter And", "Johnny Winter And-Live" and "Edgar Winter's White Trash". "And" featured the first version of Derringer's "Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo" which was also released as a single, then selected again for "And - Live". Eventually, the busy Derringer joined Edgar Winter's White Trash full-time and produced the gold LP, "Roadwork". Derringer's solo album, All American Boy was released in '73 with the now already popular "Rock and Roll, Hoochie Koo", this time as a 'hit' single.
ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Blues / Memphis Soul / Americana
Label: Alligator, Alligator Records, Northern Blues
Official Site: http://www.janivamagness.com/
ARTIST BIO
“As I move forward,” says award-winning vocalist Janiva Magness, “I’m more willing to put myself on the line. I’m less willing to burden myself with unnecessary problems, less willing to care what people say about me. As it turns out, the more vulnerable I allow myself to be, the more strength I draw from that.” That vulnerability and strength is on full display on Magness’ powerful new album, Stronger For It. Magness, through her passionate vocals and, for the first time, through her own original songs, delivers the most moving and intimate album of her career.
Produced by Dave Darling (Brian Setzer, Meredith Brooks, Dan Hicks, John Waite), Stronger For It is Janiva’s declaration of independence. Having recently come through an intensely difficult period in her life, Magness has found new strength in her music. On these performances, she lays her soul bare, singing of loss and recovery, pain and redemption, hurt and healing, looking back and moving forward. Recording Stronger For It was as cathartic for Magness as listening to it will be for her fans. “Every human being goes through times of huge upheaval and personal transition,” Magness says. “I think everyone can relate.”
Magness, known primarily as a musical interpreter, co-wrote three remarkable, autobiographical songs for the album, including the poignant and melodic Whistling In The Dark, the riveting I Won’t Cry and the take-no-guff showstopper There It Is. Of her songwriting, Magness says, “Writing songs for me is laying out my experiences for everyone to see. It’s another level of vulnerability.”
ARTIST SUMMARY
Genres: Rock / Latin / Funk
Label: Vallejo Music Group
Official Site: http://www.vallejomusic.com/
Arist Bio
A melting pot of infectious swaggering rock laced with Latin percussion and fiery live performances has made VALLEJO one of the most popular bands to hail from Austin, Texas.
Raised in the small town of El Campo, Texas on their parent’s LP collection of Tito Puente, Santana & Tijuana Brass, VALLEJO was first formed by the three Vallejo brothers A.J. (Vocals, Guitar), Alejandro (Drums), and Omar (Bass). Learning music by playing trumpet in the high school marching band and jamming to friend’s mixtapes of classic rock and funk, the brothers eventually migrated to picking up the guitar, bass and drums to create something that was instantly recognizable on the airwaves as their own.
Since then, VALLEJO has racked up fans one by one with thousands of high energy shows and a growing catalog of album releases including Sins (Chapel Lane), Shining Sun, Beautiful Life (TVT Records), Into the New (Epic Records) with famed Latin music producer Emilio Estefan Jr. (Miami Sound Machine), Stereo, Leftovers, Steamboat Live & Black Sky on the Vallejo brother’s own label VMG (Vallejo Music Group). In, 2009 VALLEJO released their critically acclaimed album, Thicker Than Water (VMG/Quadra) and recently took home the award for “Best Rock Band” at the Texas Latin Music Awards.
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.
That magic is abundantly evident on I and Love and You, the Avett Brothers’ big-label debut. Its 13 songs are delivered in a style that defies pigeonholing but might be described as a rootsy amalgam of folk, country, bluegrass, rock and pop – even a jab of punk-style dynamics here and there. Drawn by the naked honesty of their songs and the rousing intensity of their live shows, legendary producer and talent scout Rick Rubin signed the Avett Brothers – consisting of siblings Scott and Seth, plus bassist Bob Crawford - to his American Recordings label in 2008.
