New Releases
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NOW PLAYING: THE MANNISH BOYS SONG 1 - (DISC 1) "DEATH LETTER" SONG 2 - (DISC 2) "BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN" Feat. Elvin Bishop This text will be replaced by the flash music player.

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"Mischo far surpasses many better known at harp driven blues." – Living Blues Magazine

"Among the top ranks of U.S. harp players." – Blues & Rhythm Magazine, UK

"…one of the current blues scene's finest harmonica practitioners…" – Blues in the Northwest

His Delta Groove debut, "Make It Good," is RJ Mischo's tenth release and he makes good on the promise of that title by delivering a high-octane fueled album—complete with 100% original material—backed by a formidable stable of talent featuring Austin's foremost blues elite. Mischo explains: "I was at the King Biscuit Blues Festival watching a performance of Anson Funderburgh when the vision for this album came to me. I knew the drummer Wes Starr lived in Austin, Texas. I asked him right then and there if he would be interested in working with me on this project." Joining Starr on the Austin sessions are guitarists Nick Curran and Johnny Moeller, bassist Ronnie James Weber, and pianist Nick Connolly. Drummer Richard Medek, and Mischo's old pal, guitarist Jeremy Johnson, are also on board for a couple of lowdown tracks recorded in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prepare yourself for some big blues and a little rock 'n roll, on what most assuredly adds up to one of RJ Mischo's toughest sounding and most satisfying ventures yet…make it good indeed!

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"With personnel ranging from duets up to horn-fired big-band charts, this quintessential backup band takes center stage on their way to deserved recognition as a premier blues group in their own right." – All Music Guide

"…an infectious revival of both '40s jump and '50s to '60s Chess-like styles from a band that lives inside the music..."
– Wall Street Journal

"The Mannish Boys' dedication to reserving the past is matched only by their musical aptitude."
– Living Blues Magazine

Few blues acts have perfected the tricky maneuver of honoring the storied history of the blues, while at the same time keeping the music up-to-date, as admirably as Delta Groove's The Mannish Boys. Their newest release on Delta Groove marks a number of firsts for The Mannish Boys. "Double Dynamite," as the title suggests, serves up a double dose of The Mannish Boys on a two-CD set, allowing them to really stretch out and feature more special guests and sounds than on any of their previous recordings. Especially notable is new featured vocalist Sugaray Rayford, a soulful, gospel-inflected singer, originally from Texas, who has been little known outside of his current home base in Southern California, until now. Also along for the ride this time, and adding variety and depth in the vocal department, are veterans "Icepick" James Harman, Mike Finnigan (who in the '60s played keyboards on Jimi Hendrix's "Electric Ladyland" LP, among many other accomplishments in his long career), and Jackie Payne, plus long-time Mannish Boys' frontman Finis Tasby. The band's regular guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Frank Goldwasser are prominently represented, with Goldwasser taking a turn in front of the vocal mic, as does The Mannish Boys' harp playing honcho, Randy Chortkoff. And as an additional treat, Mud Morganfield, eldest son of the undisputed king of Chicago blues, Muddy Waters, also contributes as a guest vocalist, bringing a South Side Chicago blues unrivalled by any living vocalist. Other guests on this unprecedented release include harmonica aces Rod Piazza, Jason Ricci and Bob Corritore, and guitarists Elvin Bishop, Junior Watson, Nathan James, and Kid Ramos, all backed by the hard-swinging rhythm section of Jimi Bott and Willie J. Campbell, plus an array of other very special musicians.

A virtual blues festival in a single band, all of this variety adds up to a continually surprising, wide-ranging, and most consistently excellent release from The Mannish Boys' career so far.

Retail: $21.99 OUR PRICE: $16.99+ s&h

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"One of the great personalities of Chicago blues is the unstoppable Tail Dragger, whose charisma fills up any room he plays in." - Bob Corritore

"One day this boy (Tail Dragger) will take my place." - Howlin' Wolf

"…a damn good harmonica player (Bob Corritore) with a lively sense of history." – Downbeat Magazine

"If Phoenix, Arizona, had a blues mafia, then Bob Corritore just might be its resident godfather." – Living Blues Magazine

On January 11, 1976, Tail Dragger and Bob Corritore first met at the 1815 Club on Chicago's West Side where they performed at a tribute to Howlin' Wolf, who had died the day before. This was the symbolic beginning of a lifetime friendship and musical collaboration which continues to this day. Now, veteran Chicago blues vocalist Tail Dragger combines forces with Arizona's very own blues ambassador and harmonica extraordinaire, Bob Corritore, to deliver a heartfelt album of pure, unadulterated, lowdown and dirty Chicago Blues. Joining the proceedings is an ensemble of first rate players including legendary pianist Henry Gray (who performed and recorded with Howlin' Wolf for twelve years beginning in 1956), guitarists Kirk Fletcher and Chris James, along with a rhythm section consisting of bassist Patrick Rynn and drummer Brian Fahey. Longtime Friends In The Blues is an album of raw, intense, emotional blues, performed ferociously and with no apologies.

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"One of the only guys in the world that can really play the traditional stuff right." – Kim Wilson

"Of the 65 or so great guitar players I've had in my band, since the early 60's, Nathan James is easily the A#1 hands-down stand-out!" – James Harman

"Nobody else these days plays so many styles so well…" – Rick Holmstrom

On What You Make Of It, his first-ever national release for Delta Groove Music, Nathan James & The Rhythm Scratchers have forged a cumulative sound that combines elements of 1920's acoustic blues, amplified juke joint hill country, and 1950's uptown blues mixed with 1960's soulful R&B. Influences range from Tampa Red, to B.B. King, to James Brown and the Famous Flames. With backing support provided by Troy Sandow (upright and Fender bass, harmonica) and Marty Dodson (drums), this is not your average blues power trio that leans towards the much abused "blues rock" formula. Instead each member in the band knows all the nuances of the different feels and tones, in addition to bringing with them an original and fresh, new energy that comes from musicians of a much younger generation. Add to the mix Nathan's exclusive homemade instruments, including the Washtar Gitboard and Tri-Tar, plus a special guest appearance by the one and only James Harman, and you've got all the ingredients for one truly innovative and trailblazing American roots album that is destined to set the music world on its ear!

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Delta Groove Music
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TERRY HANCK WINS BMA! ( Photo credit: Vera Hanck) Delta Grove would like to congratulate Terry Hanck for his win at the recent Blues Music Awards! .......................................................................... NATHAN JAMES TALKS ABOUT MUSIC & HIS GUITARS Nathan James visited Quilter Labs to talk about his music and guitars.To watach the video - CLICK HERE! .......................................................................... ROD PIAZZA ON THE COVER OF BLUES REVUE MAGAZINE Check out harmonica master Rod Piazza on the cover of Blues Revue magainze. .......................................................................... CAJUN & BLUES MUSIC FESTIVAL MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND The 23rd Annual Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival will be held on Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, May 26th & 27th, 2012. This year also marks our third year producing the Blues Stage at the festival in Simi Valley (produced by the Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise) and as the years before, the talent is phenomenal. The lineup includes: The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Cotton, Rod Piazza & The West Coast Sheiks featuring Junior Watson , Candye Kane , The Mannish Boys, James Harman, Mud Morganfield, Darrell Nulisch, Bob Margolin, Paul Oscher, Johnny Dyer, Mitch Kashmar, Bob Corritore, Big Pete, Terry Hanck, Nathan James & The Rhythm Scratchers, Shawn Pittman, R.J. Mischo, Jason Ricci, Paul Size, Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King, John Marx, Adrianna Marie, Marco Pandolfi, The Mighty Mojo Prophets, and more! Mark your calendars now for Memorial Day weekend, Saturday May 26th and Sunday, May 27th and stay tuned for forthcoming announcements regarding additional artists and a complete festival lineup. For more information visit: www.cajun-blues.com .......................................................................... GERMAN RECORD CRITIC AWARD It has just been announced that the new album "Choice Cuts" by Big Pete has been nominated for a German Record Critic Award. The German Record Critics' Award ("Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik") was established in 1980 to set the "most rigorous standards for supreme achievement and quality" in the field of music recording. The German Record Critics' Award Association consists of up to 145 music critics, writers, musicologists and editors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland actively involved in the assessment of CDs and DVDs. Its mission is to provide producers, composers, artists and music lovers with an honest guide to new releases of true artistic significance. The critics nominate from the latest releases  in 29 categories ranging from opera to rock, folk, blues — even Indonesian Gamelan orchestra — produced by large and small, domestic or foreign record companies. ......................................................................... ELVIN BISHOP INTERVIEW Delta Groove recording artist and blues legend Elvin Bishop was just recently interviewed by Guitar World touching on his almost 50 year relationship with his Gibson ES-345 "Red Dog", as well as touring, the Blues Cruse, singing and song writing. CLICK HERE TO READ! .......................................................................... ANA POPOVIC IN GUITAR WORLD Ana Popovic was recently interviewed by Guitar World Magazine in which she discusses her new album "Unconditional". Click here to read the full article! In addition to the interview, Ana Popovic was also featured on Guitar World's "Lick of the Day" where she shares her passion for the blues tradition and demonstrates one of the many memorable licks from her latest album 'Unconditional'. Click here to watch the video! .......................................................................... TRACY NELSON & CYNDI LAUPER Tracy Nelson is featured on Cyndi Lauper’s new DVD, To Memphis With Love, where together they perform Nelson’s signature song “Down So Low.” Lauper’s new DVD follows on the heels of her 2010 Grammy nominated CD Memphis Blues, which finds the Pop diva tackling traditional blues standards and personal favorites (including Nelson’s “Down So Low), along with the help of blues heavyweights B.B. King, Charlie Musselwhite and Jonny Lang. Lauper’s new DVD was released on October 24, 2011 and also features special guests Allen Toussaint and Jonny Lang. .......................................................................... ANA POPOVIC ON THE BILLBOARD BLUES CHARTS! Ana Popovic’s new CD Unconditional has proven to be a smashing success right out the gate. The album debuted on the Billboard Blues Chart at #11 the week ending September 3, 2011, and so far has spent a total of seven weeks on the chart with a peak position of #7. Additionally, Unconditional also appeared on Billboard’s Heatseekers Album Chart for three weeks hitting its peak position there at #36. .......................................................................... NEW ARTIST SIGNING - R.J. MISCHO Renowned blues vocalist and harmonica player R.J. Mischo got his start over 20 years ago while working his way up through the thriving Minneapolis blues scene of the early 1990's. He formed the RJ and Kid Morgan Blues Band with guitarist Teddy Morgan and released the album "Ready To Go," which also featured vocalist Percy Strother, in 1992. Mischo's first official solo album, "Gonna Rock Tonight," followed two years later in '94 on the regional blues label Blue Loon Records. In the intervening years, Mischo has continued to release top-shelf recordings while working with such high caliber musicians as Jeremy Johnson, Steve Freund, Junior Watson, Frank Goldwasser, Rusty Zinn, Kid Andersen, Marc Thijs, Barrelhouse Chuck, June Core and Richard Innes, among many others. He's also maintained a consistently aggressive touring schedule with regular trips overseas to Europe, and has even travelled to South America for performances with Brazil's very own Igor Prado Band. For his Delta Groove debut, R.J. Mischo has conjured up an album comprised entirely of original material recorded both in Austin, Texas, as well as his old stomping grounds of St. Paul, Minnesota. Mischo gathers together a collection of top-tier talent for this release which includes Johnny Moeller, Nick Curran, Jeremy Johnson, Ronnie James Weber, Wes Starr and Nick Connolly. Are you excited yet? I know we sure are! Look for the brand new CD by R.J. Mischo on Delta Groove Music coming early Spring 2012. CLICK HERE TO READ THE ARTICLE! ..........................................................................

Partner Companies
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Festivals Exclusive, LLC is a new booking agency specializing in booking Blues, Roots & Music Festivals worldwide. Festivals Exclusive will initially focus solely on booking artists on the Delta Groove Music and Eclecto Groove Records labels.

THE DELTA ALL-STAR HARP BLAST

THE MANNISH BOYS

FINIS TASBY
SUGARAY RAYFORD

ROD PIAZZA

MITCH KASHMA R BAND

BIG PETE

JASON RICCI

BOB CORRITORE

LYNWOOD SLIM & IGOR PRADO BAND

KIRK FLETCHER BAND

KID RAMOS

NATHAN JAMES

ARTHUR ADAMS

FRANK GOLDWASSER
TERRY HANCK
MIKEY JR.
ROB RIO

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO!

Cajun & Blues Festival Dishes It Up

Simi Valley, CA has it going on! The 22nd annual Simi Valley Cajun and Blues Music Festival was held Memorial Day weekend, May 28-29. I had a gig the 27th and the 29th but made a point to drag myself up early Saturday morning the 28th and drive over two hours to catch at least one day. What a treat it turned out to be! Relaxing, exciting and downhome all rolled into one gently sprawling event that felt like a community fair/music festival. An added surprise was seeing Blues Foundation pals Jay and Priscilla Sieleman representing here all the way from Memphis , TN.

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LIVE SHOW REVIEW

Memorial Day Weekend A busy time for the blues! All around the country blues fans had their choice of festivals this holiday weekend and California, both north and south, were no exceptions. Santa Cruz in the north, Simi Valley in the south ­ the Simi festival, known as the Cajun & Blues Music Festival, is in its 22nd year. It started out as the Cajun Creole Festival, but three years ago a blues stage was added. This year and last Randy Chortkoff and the Delta Blues Team booked and produced the blues stage. He uses the festival to showcase many of his Delta Groove performers, but he also books acts not associated with Delta Groove. This festival reminds me of the T.A.M.I. shows of the 60's, or the Stax festivals of the 70's: more than a festival, it's an all-star review.

It's 18 hours of non-stop music with short set changes, a highly efficient stage crew, excellent sound and sight lines which made this very enjoyable. The music ran the gamut from young up-and-comers like The 44s, Mikey Jr. and Stone Cold Blues, and Cadillac Zack, to veterans Arthur Adams, Finis Tasby, and the star power of Elvin Bishop, Kid Ramos, Tracy Nelson, and the Mannish Boys.

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MUSIC MAN ADDS MORE BLUES

On a leafy Sherman Oaks street, past a sturdy fence and well-tended yard, there is a house of blues.

A large, time-lapse photo of Chicago highways hanging above the fireplace of the Mellenthin Ranch home announces this is the home of Delta Groove Music.

Wood-paneled walls sport folk art and framed posters of the independent record label's acts, which range from veterans like Elvin Bishop to newcomers Cedric Burnside and owner Rand Chortkoff's own band, The Mannish Boys.

Memorabilia and stylized busts of blues musicians are tastefully arranged on table tops and book cases, and the converted bedroom that is Chortkoff's office has its own photo-laden wall of fame. From here, the 61-year-old harp blower charts the careers of some 35 artists - and in his spare time, he programmed the Blues Stage for this weekend's Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival.

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