CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth (email)
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
www.intrepidartists.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

JASON RICCI & THE NEW BLOOD
Jason Ricci and New Blood mix blues, rock, funk, eastern, and jazz into a seamless cohesion both eclectic and idiosyncratic while always avoiding cliche’s and histrionics. Television, radio, and literary critics compare them to acts as diverse as The Rolling Stones, John Coltrane, and Lou Reed. Modern day parallels also include acts ranging from Government Mule to Prince and the Revolution. New Blood always delivers a level of musical virtuosity, while effortlessly keeping the fun, angst and energy of a Punk Rock band, with the skill, refinement and reflection typical of a Jazz ensemble.

As a Blues band, JR&NB have individually and collectively won various accolades and distinguished awards from blues societies all over the world. Ricci and the boys play many notable blues venues, festivals and events while continuing expansion in this genre.

As a Jam Band, tapers have archived shows from the shores of France and Belgium to San Francisco and weekly Internet downloads, often in the thousands, have surpassed heavily bootlegged acts such as The Grateful Dead and Phish. Jason Ricci’s new CD Blood On The Road sold over 12,000 copies in under a year from stage, by word of mouth and through the Internet and without the help of record labels, national distributors, or publicists.

As a mainstream rock and roll band they were listed in the Mercury News “Top Ten shows of 2005” along side Prince, Rush and Green Day.

Jason Ricci and New Blood are a group of young, seasoned rockers who balance soul and virtuosity, defy category, amaze critics while securing bigger festivals and venues over 300 days per year.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth (email)
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
www.intrepidartists.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MIKE ZITO
Mike Zito is best known for his guitar playing, but while his strengths embrace his musical talent, they also highlight his professionalism and his ability to capture an audience.

Whether it's with intuitive electric jams and solos or with soft and simple melodic acoustic tunes, Mike Zito is a show to be seen.

Mike Zito performs material from most eras and genre's including Good Old R&B, Rock-n-Roll-Classic and Alternative, Energetic Blues and Some Great, Danceable, Funky Stuff. From Stevie Ray Vaughn to the Counting Crowes, from CCR to the Commodores, Mike can sit alone or rock the house with his well appointed band.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
The Rosebud Agency
P.O. Box 170429
San Francisco, CA. 94117
PH: 415-386-3456
FX: 415-386-0599
www.rosebudus.com

THE LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES REVUE

"The blues is in good hands. When someone has the right intentions, with sincerity, you can never go wrong. This is the person who has the voice, the sound, and the intentions to touch everybody's heart." - Carlos Santana

"A gifted lead guitarist firmly in touch with his lyrical voice, Castro writes an alluring blend of straight ahead blues and Memphis-style soul. While he has his own definable sound, Castro calls to mind great blues-rock players such as Billy Gibbons of Z.Z.Top, Stevie Ray Vaughan and even Duane Allman." - Blues Revue

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Blue Mountain Artists
Hug Southard (email)
(Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Southern Mid-West, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia)
Page Stallings (email)
(Northeast, Mid-West, New England, Eastern Canada)
Derek Smith (email)
(West Coast, Mountain States, Alaska, Hawaii, Western Canada)
Blue Mountain Artists
818 Tyvola Rd. Ste 109
Charlotte, NC 28217
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
www.bluemountainartists.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

ROD PIAZZA & THE MIGHTY FLYERS
Don’t make the mistake of thinking of Rod Piazza as one of the “young turks” or new generation of the blues.  Piazza is a tried-and-true, dyed-in-the-wool blues veteran with credentials that are second to none.  Piazza has established himself as one of the most influential living blues harp players.  He’s consistently surrounded himself with players who bring out the best he has to offer, and epitomize the very best in blues: fresh, swinging, tasteful, exciting and creative. The core of The Mighty Flyers has been together for over two decades, and developed the kind of musical telepathy that simply cannot exist without years of experience on the bandstand and in the studio. The Mighty Flyers are a well-oiled machine, with Piazza in the driver’s seat.

Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers have played literally thousands of gigs in every corner of the globe, recorded over a dozen highly acclaimed releases, won or been nominated for almost every major award and honor that can be bestowed upon a blues band, and along the way virtually created a new style of blues a combination of low-down Chicago grit, suave West Coast swing and jazz, and the rhythmic drive of the best early R&B and rock & roll. Quite simply, Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers are one of the best, most experienced, and most distinctive bands in blues today, and hard is it may be to believe, they’re still getting better.

It’s not only the fans and music industry mavens who praise Piazza & The Mighty Flyers, some of the strongest words of admiration come from the harshest critics of all: fellow blues musicians.  None other than B.B. King pointed to his opening act Piazza as the reason he was motivated to play a full hour over his contracted time at a European blues festival.

Fifty years after the pioneers of modern blues enjoyed their days in the sun, blues fans are still talking about them with reverence. There can be little doubt that fifty years from now, blues fans will still be talking about Rod Piazza and The Mighty Flyers.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

THE HOLLYWOOD BLUE FLAMES
Over 30 years ago, The Hollywood Blue Flames began life as The Hollywood Fats Band, led by guitar phenomenon Michael “Hollywood Fats” Mann, and featuring what was arguably the best traditional blues line-up this side of 1954 – the multi-talented Al Blake on harmonica and vocals, legendary bassist Larry Taylor from Canned Heat, veteran drummer Richard Innes, and Fred Kaplan on piano.

To say they took the blues scene by storm is an understatement – they almost single-handedly ignited a blues revival that still echoes loudly to this day.  After the unfortunate and unexpected death of Fats in 1986, it took nearly 20 years to find someone capable of filling the huge musical shoes of Fats.

Now they’ve reunited under the name The Hollywood Blue Flames with Kirk Fletcher on guitar.  This young man was literally raised on the sounds pioneered by the original incarnation of this band.  Kirk Fletcher plays with the taste and power that truly does justice to not only this band’s illustrious legacy but also the blues masters who inspired them.

The Hollywood Blue Flames have emerged from the smoldering embers of The Hollywood Fats Band.  So whenever you hear the warm retro sounds of classic Chicago blues coupled with a swinging rhythm section and tasty-but-nasty guitar, you are hearing the legacy of The Hollywood Fats Band.  A favorite at every festival they play.  This truly is blues with a history and a future!

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth (email)
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
www.intrepidartists.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

PHANTOM BLUES BAND
The Phantom Blues Band originally formed as a studio band to record behind Taj Mahal.  Soon they were circling the globe together performing at major Blues and Jazz festivals in Europe, Australia and Japan.  This association led to two Grammy awards.  All accomplished musicians in their own right, members of the band have recorded and performed with such legendary artists as Jimi Hendrix, Etta James, Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana and Stevie Ray Vaughan to name just a few.

Along with such an immense pool of musical experience comes an amazingly deep understanding of R&B history and repertoire.  Each player brings with him an intimate familiarity with a broad spectrum of soulful sounds, from Memphis Soul to New Orleans Funk, from gutbucket blues to sophisticated swing, and a whole lot more.

Successful bands have been built around less combined talent than any one member of the Phantom Blues Band, but when mixed, stirred and left to simmer, these guys come together in one of the tightest, sharpest, most top-heavy R&B bands in the music today.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Canada/Pacific North West
Greg Baert (email)
604.688.1976

Ripping Glass Entertainment
Dean Mueller (email)
PH: 503-330-8645

Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

THE INSOMNIACS
Since the bands creation a year ago, The Insomniacs have been extremely busy.  The group splashed onto the venerable Portland blues scene and promptly won the 2006 Muddy Award for "Best New Act" from the West Coast's largest blues society, the Cascade Blues Association.  After packing houses around town and releasing their debut CD, "Left Coast Blues," to solid reviews and regional airplay, it didn't take long for Delta Groove to recognize their potential.

"The Insomniacs are the new generation of high-energy, authentic young-bloods who have done their homework and incorporated their own unique, soulful style." - Randy Chorktoff, CEO, Delta Groove Productions.

Most recently, The Insomniacs opened for Walter "Wolfman" Washington at the St. Paddy's Blues and Brews Irish Festival.  Shortly after they made a trip down to Hollywood to perform at The Avalon for the after party of the red carpet gala premier of the Big Sky motion picture What Love Is.  The Insomniacskicked off the show that included performances by Delta Groove artists The Mannish Boys, The Phantom Blues Band and The Hollywood Blues Flames.  The band's scheduleis filling up fast with bookings alongside other national acts at clubs and festivals for the spring and summer in Oregon, California and Washington. More exciting things are on the way, so stay up late and stay tuned to The Insomniacs.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Lisa Walters (email)
(415) 945-0515
WaltersMusicAgency.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

JACKIE PAYNE STEVE EDMONSON BAND
Jackie Payne possesses one of the greatest natural soul voices to come along since the 60’s.  For much of the last 15 years Payne has been featured as the front man with the Johnny Otis Revue.

His musical cohort Steve Edmonson has shared the stage with blues icons James Cotton and Luther Tucker, as well as mainstream artists such as Van Morrison and Maria Muldaur.

Featuring the one-two punch of Payne’s sweet Southern Soul drenched vocals along with Edmonson’s slashing West Side Chicago meets Texas style guitar, this tight-as-a-drum road tested band has been taking the entire West Coast by storm.

According to the Los Angeles Times, “Jackie Payne is a performer of classy presence and subtle physical movement (who’s) got the raspy-voiced Wilson Pickett – Otis Redding thing nailed flat.”

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MITCH KASHMAR
Mitch Kashmar is one of the most soulful and powerful blues singers in the business today, black or white; his blues harp playing is second to none for creativity, drive and excitement.  He’s shared the stage with some of the biggest names in blues over the years and they’ve all known:  Mitch Kashmar is a force to be reckoned with in the blues.

His 2005 Delta Groove debut, “Nickels and Dimes,” earned him a “Best New Artist” nomination by the Blues Music Foundation.  In 2006, Kashmar joined forces with The Mannish Boys as a front man on several high profile gigs.  Most recently, Kashmar has flexed his musical muscles on stage touring with the band War.  Mitch Kashmar has played throughout North America Europe and in Russia, winning new fans at every stop. 

Kashmar continues to evolve as an artist.  Inspired by classic material, he moves in new directions with innovative angles on fresh songs.  Add in a quirky sense of humor and a sly wit, along with deep-chested blues vocals that sound natural, unforced, and unlike anyone else on the scene today, and you’ve got one of this generation’s most complete blues artists.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Blues Management Group
Thomas Radai (email)
PH: 414.321.0188
FX: 414.321.1098
www.bluesmgtgroup.com

For All Other Information:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

PHILLIP WALKER
Born in 1937 near Lake Charles, Louisiana in the small town of Welsh, Phillip Walker’s earliest musical influences came via the Cajun and Creole rhythms he heard as a youngster.

A second cousin to “Gatemouth” Brown, and a huge admirer of T-Bone Walker, Phillip began making a name for himself in the early 1950’s with his first recording session backing Roscoe Gordon, in addition to working on the road and in the studio as a member of Zydeco king Clifton Chenier’s band.

By the late 50’s Walker was out on the road with his own band.  Since then, Walker’s musical career has continued to pick up steam with numerous recording projects.  His latest release, “Going Back Home” on the Delta Groove Music label, is currently #1 on the Living Blues Charts.

The Washington Post printed that, “His solos inherently swing and his tone alternates between a sweet jazz fullness and a biting attack.”  Robert Cray credits Phillip Walker as being “one of the major influences on my career.”  And Guitar Player Magazine describes Walker as, “gut wrenching perfection, Phillip is one of the 10 most important blues guitarists living today."

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

FRANK GOLDWASSER
Guitarist Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser is no stranger to those who’ve been paying attention to the West Coast blues scene over the last two decades.  According to Soul Bag Magazine, Goldwasser is, “one of the most accomplished and inspired guitarists on today’s California Blues scene… With extreme sensitivity, he displayed a perfect mastery of his instrument and a deep knowledge of his subject."

Born in Paris, France in 1960, his initial blues inspiration came from Hound Dog Taylor’s “Natural Boogie” LP.  While still in his early 20’s, Goldwasser relocated to the Bay area and became deeply immersed in the area’s still-vibrant blues scene.  He racked up three years touring with Jimmy McCracklin as well as appearances with Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield and Charlie Musselwhite.

Vintage Guitar Magazine dubs Goldwasser, “the French Ambassador of American Blues… I hear a number of vocal influences, perhaps most prominent being Texas master Johnny Winter.  Slim has that level of intensity in his delivery… Forceful and soulful playing."

Frank Goldwasser’s new CD “Bluju”, produced by Delta Groove’s Randy Chortkoff, has won praise in Europe as one of the most progressive blues releases in years.  Goldwasser taps into a deep well-spring of influences, from blues and soul, to world music, to rock and beyond, while at the same time remaining deeply rooted in the blues tradition.

Southland Blues Magazine labels Goldwasser as being, “simply stunning… filled with power and an absolutely exceptional level of musicianship.”  Most recently, Goldwasser has contributed his artistic talents to the latest Mannish Boys CD, “Big Plans.”  Whether he’s playing a solo set or collaborating with a number of other talented musicians in a revue, Frank Goldwasser never fails to burn a spot in new fans’ hearts everywhere.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

KIRK FLETCHER
Guys like Kirk “Eli” Fletcher shouldn’t be rare in the blues, but as blues fans know, they are.  At a time when his contemporaries are emulating hip hop and artists with names such as 50 Cent or P. Diddy, Fletcher’s heroes are people like B.B. King and Muddy Waters.  He’s not just “one of” the only young black men who has mastered this music – for all practical purposes, he’s “THE” one.

Veteran bluesmen who could hire any guitarist they want – Kim Wilson of the Fabulous Thunderbirds and harp master Charlie Musselwhite, to name just a few – hire Kirk, not because he’s black, but because he’s one of the best electric blues guitarists in the world today.

If you close your eyes, you’re there.  Kirk Fletcher brings you the sound of blues as it was played when giants like Muddy Waters and Howling’ Wolf and T-Bone Walker and Little Walter still towered over the blues landscape.  Kirk not only “gets it”, he’s got it, that hard-to-define depth that makes every phrase he plays comes sounding exactly like the blues and nothing else.

One of the most sought after 'hired hands' on the West Coast blues scene, Kirk Fletcher has help to lay the groundwork for monumental bands like The Fabulous Thunderbirds, The Hollywood Blue Flames and The Mannish Boys.  Alone or in a revue, Fletcher is one of the finest young black blues guitar players in the world today.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

LYNWOOD SLIM
Lynwood Slim is a multi-faceted musician who has established a name for himself as a triple threat with mastery in vocals, harmonica, and the delicacy of the flute.  A favorite among wine connoisseurs, his lifetime of experience performing and recording make him one of the most complete and appealing bluesmen in the business today.

CONTACT INFO:
For Booking:
Delta Groove Music
Kristal Blue (email)
Kelly Davis (email)
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 200
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.755.4469
www.deltagroovemusic.com

JOHN LONG
John Long is a national treasure.  In a world where everyone adopts a gimmick, an angle, a pose in order to get over, John Long is a living anachronism.  He is a 100% pure, dyed-in-the-wool, no-BS musician for life.  He’s a true interpreter of the American musical art form.

With a 40 year backlog of original material from which to draw, the rare experience to see his live performance is jaw-dropping.  Long has the uncanny ability to create and perform original material that sounds as if it came from a long-lost cache of vintage recordings – it’s music completely unique and new, while at the same time hauntingly familiar.