THE SOUL OF JOHN BLACK FEATURED ON KCRW’S TOP TUNES!

Early reaction to The Soul of John Black has been overwhelmingly positive with Southern California’s leading NPR affiliate KCRW adding the new single three weeks early! Taken from the forthcoming album Black John, the first single Betty Jean pays tribute to Betty Davis, the funk-rock singer and former wife of Mile Davis. The song was added to KCRW’s rotation on January 1st and featured on their website on Today’s Top Tunes. CLICK HERE!

The official add dates for Betty Jean began on January 19th & 20th for Triple A and Americana radio formats and the single will also be featured on an upcoming MM Music Triple A Radio sampler to help it further penetrate the market.

JB PERFORMS LIVE ON KPFK’S GLOBAL VILLAGE:

With the release of Black John looming just around the corner, JB has already begun making the rounds to promote his new CD over the radio airwaves here in Los Angeles. On Friday, January 16, JB made his way down to KPFK 90.7 FM where he appeared on Global Village with show host Sergio Mielniczenko to discuss and play tracks of his new album. JB also performed a couple of songs live on the air including a solo acoustic rendition of the title track Black John. To listen to a podcast of the program you can visit KPFK’s website - CLICK HERE!

JB INTERVIEW SEGMENT AIRS ON KPCC:

JB recently graced the airwaves here in Southern California on KPCC 89.3 FM. John arrived at the studio with guitar in tow to perform songs from his brand new release Black John on Off-Ramp, a weekly show hosted by radio veteran John Rabe. The program aired on Saturday, January 10th at 12pm PST and the podcast is currently available in the archive section on the station’s website. CLICK HERE!

JB ON LATE NIGHT WITH CONAN O’BRIAN:

Last October JB appeared on television with Nikka Costa on NBC’s Late Night With Conan O’Brian. Nikka was there to promote her latest CD Pebble To A Pearl and performed the song Stuck To You. That’s JB playing guitar in her band! CLICK HERE!

BLACK JOHN – FIRST REVIEW POSTED:

Blues Revue was the first publication to jump on board and review Black John. Featured in the February 2009 issue Hal Horowitz writes “Bigham unloads his husky voice over emotionally sticky songs that are contemporary yet infused with retro influences… It all comes down to melodies and mood, and The Soul of John Black has them both covered.”

HOUSE OF BLUES RADIO HOUR TO FEATURE “BLACK JOHN”

The House of Blues Radio Hour will be featuring the title track Black John from The Soul of John Black’s brand new release which will be available February 17th on Eclecto Groove Records. The nationally syndicated radio show hosted by Elwood Blues (aka Dan Aykroyd), will also be handing out ten free copies to some lucky Blues Brethren. The program airs January 31-February 1. Check the official House of Blues Radio Hour website for more details -  http://www.thebluesmobile.com/index.shtml

EARLY RADIO FEEDBACK:

“I’ve listened all the way through and The Soul of John Black is an absolute masterpiece!!!!
It’s always nice to listen to an album that has more than 1 or 2 good tracks and this one has a bunch!!” – Robb Morrison / The Blues Brunch 107.3 The Road, Wichita / 98.1 The Max, Memphis

“Yes, we got the Black John album and I featured it today. Great stuff… I’d love to see this cat at our Telluride Blues and Brew Festival. His record last year was an album feature, too. Tell Mr. B. he’s got it. Really got it.” – Suzanne Cheavens / KOTO Music Director, Telluride, CO

TOUR DATES:
01/17/09:
Los Angeles, CA – The Mint
01/19/09:
Park City, UT - Harry O's (Sundance Film Festival)
02/14/09:
Hermosa Beach, CA - Cafe Boogaloo
02/17/09:
Los Angeles, CA - The Mint (CD Release Show)
05/08/09:
Memphis, TN - Delta Groove Blues Awards Show
05/09/09:
Madison, IA - Simply The Blues Festival
07/22-25/09:
Cognac, France - Cognac Blues Passions Festival
08/09/09:
Wheeling, WV - Heritage Music Flues Festival
08/15-16/09:
Salmon Arm, BC - Roots & Blues Festival

To view all of The Soul of John Black's upcoming tour dates CLICK HERE!

BOOKING:
Blue Mountain Artists
Hugh Southard (President/Agent)
PH: 704-525-1559
FX: 704-525-1561
E-mail: hugh@bluemountainartists.com
www.bluemountainartists.com

PUBLICITY/MEDIA:
Shore Fire
PH: 718.522.7171
FX: 718.522.7242
Email: info@shorefire.com
www.shorefire.com

MANAGEMENT:
Encore Artist Development
Tony Cooper (email)
PH: 770.460.4164
E-mail: tony@encoreartists.com

RADIO, MARKETING & PROMOTION:
Jody Best
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove1@earthlink.net

RETAIL:
Jeff Fleenor
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove5@earthlink.net

ONLINE MARKETING/PROMO:
Miles High Productions
Chip Schutzman
PH: 323.806.0400
Email: chip@mileshighproductions.com

FOR ALL OTHER INFO:
Eclecto Groove Records
Delta Groove Music
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 208
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.849.3277
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MORE INFO:
THE OFFICAL WEBSITE
THE OFFICAL MYSPACE

DONE WITH THE DEVIL

Jason Ricci & New Blood have just wrapped up production on their next release Done With The Devil due out in April on Eclecto Groove Records. This time out New Blood promises more concise songs with a prevalent blues base, on top of great grooves and strong melodies with catchy hooks. So does this mean the band sold out you may ask? Don’t worry, Jason and the boys still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve sure to please even the most hardened critics. Recorded at the rustic Shadow Lane studio in Nashville, TN, Done With The Devil is Jason Ricci & New Blood’s most ambitious project yet. The album features a diverse array of instrumentation including chromatic, diatonic, chord and polyphonia harmonicas; tuba, bass harmonica, electric and upright bass; electric, acoustic and dobro guitars; and various percussion, plus special guests including Shawn Kellerman, Rudy Miller as well as session engineer/producer Phil Wolfe who graciously provided all the piano and organ parts. But wait, there’s more! Expect to be shocked and amazed as you hear Shawn Starski and Ed Michaels vocal debut on the songs How It Come To Be and Keep The Wolf From My Door each respectively.

For more on the making of Done With The Devil check out the special youtube feature courtesy of Jason Ricci & New Blood. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhE5hz-YGMI

JASON RICCI INVITED TO HOST IBC’S

Complimenting his recent BMA nomination for 2009 Instrumentalist-Harmonica, The Blues Foundation has invited Jason Ricci to host the 25th Annual International Blues Challenge. The event, which takes place every year in Memphis, Tennessee, is the world’s largest gathering of blues acts representing an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations. Each year musicians from around the globe compete for cash, prizes and industry recognition in the hopes of landing the title of IBC Winner. Over the years many well known and established acts cut their teeth competing in the challenge including Tommy Castro, Sean Costello, Watermelon Slim, Susan Tedeschi, Homemade Jamz Blues and our own Jason Ricci. The 25th International Blues Challenge will be held February 4-7, 2009. For more information visit The Blues Foundation’s website – www.blues.org

JASON RICCI & NEW BLOOD NOMINATED FOR BLUESWAX ARTIST OF THE YEAR!

Blueswax, the free weekly online blues magazine, has recently announced their nominations for Blueswax Artist and Album of the Year for 2008. Jason Ricci & New Blood have been chosen along with four other nominees which include Taj Mahal, Albert Cummings, Moreland & Arbuckle and E.G. Kight for Blueswax Artist of the Year. The voting period is open from January 1 to midnight of February 1. Subscriptions to the eZine are free, but you must be logged in to vote. For more information and to cast your vote log onto www.blueswax.com

In addition to Jason’s Arist of the Year nomination Blueswax also recently awarded him with Article of the Year for his writing entitled “Stay In College” (A guide to proactive, mid level, success in the music business for most bands). The complete article is available - CLICK HERE

JASON RICCI NOMINATED 2009 BMA INSTRUMENTALIST-HARMONICA

On December 16, 2008, The Blues Foundation announced the nominees for the 30th Annual Blues Music Awards. Eclecto Groove recording artist Jason Ricci was nominated for best Instrumentalist-Harmonica, his first ever recognition by the BMA’s, and an honor he shares alongside his peers in a category which also includes Steve Guyger, Billy Gibson, Mark Hummel, Rick Estrin and Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. The award ceremony will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at the Cook Convention Center in Memphis, Tennessee. To vote you must be a member of The Blues Foundation and cast your ballot before 07:59 (EST) Monday, March 2, 2009. For more information please visit The Blues Foundation’s website – www.blues.org

NEW BLOOD DIARIES:

"So in other not so fun news, right off the top, there’s nothing I could report to any of you since the last time I’ve written that has affected me more than the recent death of my mentor Pat Ramsey. Most of you who have followed my career know just how much Pat meant to me. For those of you that don’t know that want too, before we get to the fun news, here is the not so short link to the “Eulogy” I wrote for Pat after I got the news: CLICK HERE!

It was terrible that I had to miss Pat’s funeral because he died the day before I left to go on tour with the great Walter Trout. But I know Pat would have wanted me to go as he was huge fan of Walter’s. Playing with Walter Trout was a dream come true for me too and I thought of Pat the whole time I was in Holland.

Walter is an insanely gifted and unique guitarist, freethinker, incredible songwriter, devoted family man, music business veteran, student of life, music, people and a role model to so many of us. Playing on his record “The Outsider” was a dream come true and an honor to be a small part of.  Words fail to describe how touched I was and am by his music, his friendship, his songs, and the opportunity to stand next to him and his power house band in the relaxed role of side man for a change and feel the power of those veteran blues rockers behind me (Sammy, Rick Knapp and Mikey). I love my band, so much so, that it’s very hard for me to play with any other group of musicians, even for just one song. I have grown so use to hearing Shawn, Todd and Ed Michaels behind me that even surrounded with other great musicians I always feel out of place somehow, this was not at all the case with Walter trout and his band.

Walter is huge in Holland where he had invited me to tour with him for four shows. As far as I gathered, he had a number one song over there in the late eighties over Madonna and a bunch of other heavy charting pop players and very few there have forgotten that apparently as I witnessed sold out theatres for every show I was a part of. Here is a clip of me blowing a slow blues with Walter at his favorite gig “The Paradiso” in Amsterdam. I’m playing to a sold out crowd of 1,500 or more here, I’m feeling the energy of that audience and the power of that band. Time of my life. Dig it!"

CLICK TO READ MORE & VIEW VIDEO CLIPS!

TOUR DATES:
02/12/09:
Blue Springs, MO - Trouser Mouse
02/13/09:
Lincoln, NE - Zoo Bar
02/14/09:
Des Moines, IA - Hotel Fort Des Moines
02/15/09:
Davenport, IA - Blue Port Junction
02/19/09:
Laurel, MS - The Reserve
02/20/09:
Jackson, MS - Martin's
02/21/09:
Oxford, MS - Rooster's
02/27/09:
Springfield, MO - Nathan P. Murphy's
02/28/09:
Topeka, KS - Uncle Bo's
03/03/09:
Colorado Springs, CO - McCabe's Tavern
03/04/09:
Evergreen, CO - Little Bear
03/05-06/09:
Boulder, CO - Boulder Outlook Hotel
03/07/09:
Lyons, CO - Oskar Blues
03/08/09:
Winter Park, CO - Winter Park Pub
03/27/09:
Cincinnati, OH - Play by Play
03/28/09:
Auburn Hills, MI - Callahan's
04/03/09:
Baton Rouge, LA - Boudreaux & Thibodeaux Live!
04/04/09:
Houston, TX - Pocket Full of Soul Music & Film Festival
04/16/09:
Williamsburg, VA - JM Randall's
04/17/09:
Washington, DC - Madam's Organ
04/18/09:
Rosedale, MD - Rosedale Legion Hall
05/24/09:
Sedan, KS - Chataqua Hills Blues Festival
06/20/09:
Oxford, MI - Hot Blues & BBQ

BOOKING:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
Email: rick@intrepidartists.com
www.intrepidartists.com

RADIO, MARKETING & PROMOTION:
Jody Best
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove1@earthlink.net

RETAIL:
Jeff Fleenor
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove5@earthlink.net

FOR ALL OTHER INFO:
Eclecto Groove Records
Delta Groove Music
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 208
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.849.3277
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MORE INFO:
THE OFFICAL WEBSITE
THE OFFICAL MYSPACE

ZITO RE-ENTERS THE BILLBOARD CHARTS!

Zito’s album Today re-entered the Billboard blues chart at #15. The latest re-entry marks the sixth week that Today has appeared on Billboard. Zito recently passed through Louisiana and Florida as part of the Southern Troubadour Tour with Anders Osborne & Grayson Capps which helped convert new fans while Sirius Satellite continues to support Today with steady rotation. The latest chart information reflects the issue date of 1/31/09.

ENDORSED BY FENDER

Mike Zito recently got on board with Fender musical instruments. Now featured on the Fender Artist page is Zito representing the new American Standard Telecaster. While referring to his newly acquired axe Zito remarked that it “…is very cool-plays great and truly sings.”

http://www.fender.com/artists/index.php?id=223

RADIO:

The momentum behind Mike Zito’s release “Today” is continuing to grow!  Both the songs “Little Red Corvette” and “Today” are receiving regular airplay on Sirius/XM radio . They are receiving multiple spins daily on their Channel 30 “Pop2K” which plays strictly pop hits!

In addition to the airplay on satellite radio, Mike Zito is also receiving spins on numerous Triple A Rock, Classic Rock, Adult Hits, and Country stations.

NEW QUOTES:

"Zito has a voice that echoes Al Green and a style that resembles blue-eyed soul singers like Paul Thorn and Jonny Lang. 'Today'...exudes good taste, with arrangements that are equal parts soul and blues...His reworking of Prince's funk masterpiece 'Little Red Corvette' is a sultry, sexy simmer and the opening track 'Love Like This' is a nice, summer anthem." (Rod Lockwood/Toledo Blade) 

"...impressive debut...His is a smoother, more soulful blues made more riveting by strong originals, committed singing, soul-searching lyrics derived from hard-bitten experience and powerful guitar solos that never overwhelm the material. He's talented, hungry and ready to take on the big boys. Catch him on the way up." (Hal Horowitz/Creative Loafing) 

"Mike Zito's latest, 'Today', shuttles confidently between East St. Louis and Hollywood, with Zito's stubborn vocals and post-Chicago blues guitar powering minor-key ballads. At times the St. Louis native sounds like '80s neo-soul singer Terence Trent Arby, and on 'Slow It Down' Zito makes like Otis Rush for the Dave Matthews generation." (Edd Hurt/Nashville Scene)

TOUR DATES:
01/27/09:
Port Arthur, TX – Dylan’s
01/28/09:
Lake Charles, LA – Toucan’s
01/30/09:
Baton Rouge, LA – Roux House
01/31/09:
Port Arthur, TX – Woody’s (Night of 1000 Guitars)
02/05/09:
Kinder, LA – Coushatta Casino- Mikko Room
02/06/09:
Houma, LA – The Balcony
02/07/09:
Lake Charles, LA – Toucan’s
02/14/09:
Dallas, TX – Pearl
02/27/09:
Port Arthur, TX – Woody’s
02/28/09:
Humble, TX – Rock, Wine & Blues
03/06/09:
Tulsa, OK – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
03/07/09:
West Siloam Springs, OK – Cherokee Casino
03/26-29:
Vinton, LA – Delta Downs Casino & Resort
04/02/09:
Blackhawk, CO – Blackhawk Casino
04/09/09:
Las Vegas, NV – Boulder Station Casino
04/10/09:
Las Vegas, NV – Texas Station Casino
04/25/09:
Humble, TX – Rock, Wine & Blues
04/26/09:
Houston, TX – Houston International Festival
05/14-16:
Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
06/27/09:
Winter Park, CO – Blues From The Top Festival
07/16-18:
Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
08/13-15:
Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
10/08-10:
Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
12/10-12:
Biloxi, MS – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

To view all of Zito's upcoming tour dates
CLICK HERE!

BOOKING:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
Email: rick@intrepidartists.com
www.intrepidartists.com

RADIO, MARKETING & PROMOTION:
Jody Best
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove1@earthlink.net

RETAIL:
Jeff Fleenor
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove5@earthlink.net

FOR ALL OTHER INFO:
Eclecto Groove Records
Delta Groove Music
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 208
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.849.3277
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MORE INFO:
THE OFFICAL WEBSITE
THE OFFICAL MYSPACE

ANA SET TO RECORD NEW ALBUM IN FEBRUARY

Ana Popovic is scheduled to hit the studio in February to begin work on her follow up to 2007’s highly successful Still Making History. Ana’s Eclecto Groove debut signified her first official U.S. release which spent a total of 19 weeks on the Billboard blues charts and hit a peak position of #3! Plans are to record the album just prior to her European tour which begins in March and will see her crisscrossing all points across the globe throughout the remainder of the year. Look for Ana’s new release sometime in the late Spring / early summer 2009 on Eclecto Groove Records.

ANA ON THE CARIBEAN SEAS

Ana Popovic and her band are cruisin on the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in the Eastern Caribbean from January 24th-31st. The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise has truly been a wildly life changing experience for literally thousands of musicians and blues cruisers alike. This year's amazing lineup includes: Taj Mahal, Irma Thomas, Susan Tedeschi, The Derek Trucks Band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, John Hammond, Tommy Castro, James Hunter, Jon Cleary, Guy Davis, Derek Trucks Band, Debbie Davies, The Holmes Brothers, Ana Popovic, Paddy Milner, Larry McCray, Derek Trucks, Sugar Blue, Kinsey Report, Jimmy Thackery & the Drivers, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Scrapomatic, Terrance Simien, Floyd Taylor, E.G. Kight, Trampled Under Foot, Rico McFarland and the Homemade Jamz Band.

TONE - MOVIE FEAT. ANA POPOVIC

Ana Popovic plays a prominent part in the new documentary, “Turn It Up,” aka “Tone,” a story of the power and passion of the guitar and the perfect tone. A preview of the current, although temporary, trailer narrated by Kevin Bacon, and featuring the likes of Les Paul, B.B. King, Jeff “Skunk” Baxter, Slash, Nancy Wilson, John Memili, Jerry Cantrell, John 5 and Robby Krieger, and of course, Ana.

Check out Ana’s segment:
http://loudandlouder.com/videos/Ana.mov

TOUR DATES:
01/24-31:
FL – Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise
02/06/09:
Lodi, Italy – Lodi Blues Festival
02/07/09:
Val D’isere, France – World Ski Championship
02/14/09:
Billy Montigny, France – Espace Culturel
02/21/09:
Sighisoara Blues Festival – Sighisoara, Romania
03/13/09:
Esslingen, Germany – Dieselstrasse
03/14/09:
Bad Windsheim, Germany – Musikcafe Jam
03/20/09:
Forli, Italy – Naimaclub
03/21/09:
Ancona, Italy – Barfly Club
03/27/09:
Overpelt, Belgium – Cultuur Centrum Palethe
04/04/09:
Bremen, Germany – Meisenfrei
04/21/09:
Thonon Les Bains, Germany – Maison Des Arts
04/25/09:
Geldern, Germany – Muddy Waters Saal
05/16/09:
Annapolis, MD – Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival
06/27/09:
Lommel, Belgium – Parkblues Festival
07/05/09:
Avoice, France - Festival De Blues D’Avoine
10/30/09:
Nuess, Germany – Hamtorkrug
10/31/09:
Lingen, Germany – Gruner Jager  

BOOKING:
Intrepid Artists
Rick Booth
1300 Baxter Street, Ste. 405
Charlotte, NC 28204
PH: 704.358.4777
FX: 704.358.3171
Email: rick@intrepidartists.com
www.intrepidartists.com

RADIO, MARKETING & PROMOTION:
Jody Best
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove1@earthlink.net

RETAIL:
Jeff Fleenor
PH: 818-755-4460
Email: deltagroove5@earthlink.net

FOR ALL OTHER INFO:
Eclecto Groove Records
Delta Groove Music
14602 Victory Blvd., Ste. 208
Van Nuys, CA 91411
PH: 818.755.4460
FX: 818.849.3277
www.deltagroovemusic.com

MORE INFO:
THE OFFICAL WEBSITE
THE OFFICAL MYSPACE