LYNWOOD SLIM   

California-native Lynwood Slim wanted to make a living either shooting pool or playing the harmonica. One cloudy day at a bus stop in Los Angeles, the 17 year old took his harmonica out of his pocket and had an epiphany. The clouds parted and a beam of light shown down illuminating the instrument. It was then that Slim realized what he held in his hand was what he wanted to do. Slim’s heart was in music and so his journey began. Born in Los Angeles in 1953, Richard Duran – better know to the music world as Lynwood Slim – started playing the trumpet at the age of twelve. A few years later a friend gave him his first harmonica and he quickly graduated from “On Top of Old Smokey” to embracing the sounds of the blues masters of the instrument – Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and Big Walter Horton. Eventually Slim formed a band in Los Angeles and played the scene for several years. At the time, Slim was also working at his grandfather’s gas station in LA. When payday arrived he would cash his check and head straight for Pasadena, home of J & F Record Sales, where he would promptly spend his hard earned money on vinyl. The owner of the store was a bit of a blues musicologist and he and Slim became friends. One day he informed Slim that Kim Wilson, who had been living and playing in California at the time, had just relocated to Minneapolis, Minnesota. He proceeded to inform him that the Twin Cities had a burgeoning blues scene, the bars were full and folks were jumpin’! Since the gigs in Southern California had all but dried-up and there was no work to be had in Los Angeles, Slim packed it up and moved to Minneapolis in 1977. When Lynwood Slim hit town, the blues music scene was truly exploding and the West Bank in Minneapolis was its epicenter. From the late 1970s thru the mid-1980s, this riverside neighborhood was a hotbed of blues clubs including the Cabooze, Tempo, Triangle and the Viking Bar. The music scene was vibrant overall; musicians were actually making a living doing what they loved to do. On any given night you could hear Lamont Cranston, Mojo Buford, Willie & The Bees or Aces, Straights & Shuffles, just to name a few! By the time Slim arrived in the Twin Cities, Kim Wilson – who was fronting Aces, Straights & Shuffles – was already packing his bags for Austin, Texas where he went on to form the Fabulous Thunderbirds with Jimmie Vaughan. So less than a week after landing in Minneapolis Slim replaced Wilson as the harmonica player and vocalist in the group, which also featured Bob Bingham on guitar and Kent Duchaine on bass. From there he fronted the Fabulous Minnesota Barking Ducks for a year before forming the Lynwood Slim Band. With his own group Slim worked with veteran blues masters such as Leonard “Baby Doo” Caston and harmonica great Big Walter Horton. His unique style of swing combined with a cool blues meets jazz approach won him numerous awards from the Minnesota Music Academy. Slim also spent time in the studio where he recorded “Lost in America” and “Soul Feet” as well as behind the soundboard as the audio engineer at the Cabooze on the West Bank. By the late 1980s, Lynwood Slim was looking for a change. Tired of the long, cold winters and armed with a desire to take his musical career to the next level, he sold his house, vintage cars and all of his furniture. He left for Amsterdam with his amplifier and harmonicas, determined to make a go of it. A stranger in a strange land with an all but non-existent blues music scene, Slim found himself heading back to the US. After an abbreviated stint in Chicago, he returned to Los Angeles and went to work networking and establishing European connections. Soon Slim found himself back across the pond, touring throughout Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland. From there he headed south and played in Germany, Belgium and Austria – Italy, Spain and Czechoslovakia were soon to follow. Slim even headed down under, playing extensively all through Australia. Slim returned to live in Twin Cities briefly in the early ‘90s. He ran sound at the Whiskey Junction in Minneapolis, worked at an electronics store and traveled back and forth to Chicago working with guitarist Dave Specter. Before long Slim found himself, once again, heading back to Los Angeles. The blues scene was experiencing resurgence and soon he was partnering up with a who’s-who of West Coast blues players including Junior Watson, Kid Ramos, Larry Taylor and Richard Innes. Since his return to Southern California, Slim has recorded a number of solo CDs as well as being featured as guest performer on more than forty releases. He has also taken on the role of producer, engineer, arranger and songwriter in his spare time. Lynwood Slim has landed himself international acclaim as a performer and producer. He has endeared himself to audiences around the world as one of the finest blues vocalists of his generation….his mastery of the harmonica is second to none. His subtleties of tone and phrasing have made Lynwood Slim one of the distinctive voices in contemporary blues. And he still shoots a mean game of pool! www.lynwoodslim.com 

 
BARBARA BLUE   

Born and raised in Pittsburgh Pa, Barbara has had the blues since the day she was born.  She has been performing on Beale Street 13 years (June 7, 1997) 5 nights a week. Barbara has also performed along side various top notch artists such as:  Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band (Tony Braunagel, Mike Finnigan, Johnny Lee Schell, Larry Fulcher & the Texicalli Horns, Darrell Leonard and Joe Sublett), Jeff Healey, Dutch Tilders, Eugene "Hideaway" Bridges, Anthony Gomes, Marcia Ball, Delbert McClinton, Maceo Parker, Al Jackson, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Steady Rollin’ Bob Margolin, Tab Benoit, Fiona Boyes, Corey Harris, Sean Costello, The Nighthawks, Big Mike Griffin, Candye Kane, Zack Harmon, Trudy Lynn, Carol Fran & Gaye Adegbaloba.   Since forming her own band in 1989, Barbara has been progressing right up blues alley.  With the release of her Debut CD "OUT OF THE BLUE", Barbara has reached a wider audience of blues lovers world wide. Now residing in Memphis Tennessee and performing nightly on historical Beale Street for the past fifteen years, Barbara's understanding and cultivation of the Blues is deeper and richer than ever. Barbara’s discography now boasts 3 additional recordings with Taj Mahal’s world renowned Phantom Blues Band: SELL MY JEWELERY 2002, MEMPHIS 3rd & BEALE 2004 and LOVE MONEY CAN’T BUY 2006, all of which have made the first round of the Grammy Nomination process in 3 categories. Her most recent album ROYAL BLUE steps it up a notch, and I’m sure you’ll be hearing plenty from this disc on  November 3!  www.barbarablue.com 
  ALI PENNEY AND THE MONEYMAKERS   “She gotta lotta soul,” says Andrew Junior Boy Jones. She has opened for an impressive list of legends including Johnnie Johnson, Chris Cain, Lucinda Williams, Cephas and Wiggins, The Tailgaitors and Chris Wilson. She has been performing, recording, and composing music in bands for over 15 years. These bands include The Hippos, Midnight Ramblers, Supro and Wayne Jury’s Dry Bones as well as international acts such as Andrew Junior Boy Jones ( Freddy King’s guitarist ), Kid Bangham ( Fabulous Thunderbirds ), Lloyd Jones and Todd Sharpville. She has recorded with Fiona Boyes.   Ali recorded recently with those west coast hipsters The Vibrolators and The Chris Mawer Band. Ali has formed her own band The Money Makers and has recorded her first album, Temptation. Ali has played all across Australia at all sorts of festivals her brand of Blues, Soul, Boogie. She loves West Coast Jump, Swing and New Orleans music. Her band won Sydney Performer of the Year September 2009 and represented Sydney in The International Blues Challenge in Memphis 2010.   Ali Penney and The Money Makers received The Australian Blues Music “Chain” Award for Best Band 2010. Since then they have gone from strength to strength, with a live performance tht is renowned as being one of the best Australia has to offer.  www.reverbnation.com/alipenneyandthemoneymakers 

  
MOJO WEBB BAND   

 Since forming in 1998, The Mojo Webb Band has forged a unique path in the Australian music scene. Performing an original brand of blues and roots music, the trio of Mojo Webb, Coojee Timms and JB Lewis have toured the nation, performing at major music festivals including Womadelaide, The Byron Bay Blues & Roots Festival, The Woodford Folk Festival, The Australian Blues Music Festival, The Blues On Broadbeach Festival, The Bridgetown Blues Festival, The Thredbo Blues Festival and The Caloundra Music Festival, among others.   Mojo Webb, whose solo debut 2006 album ‘The Burden’ garnered him the 2006 Australian Blues Music ‘Chain’ Award for ‘Best New Talent of The Year’ is the possessor of a singular and amazing singing talent and is a world- class guitarist/multi-instrumentalist. He played every instrument on ‘The Burden’, including guitar, bass, drums, harmonica and saxophone as well as writing and singing all the songs.   Together with Coojee Timms (drums) and JB Lewis (bass and guitar), Mojo’s live performances are the stuff of legend. His unique and engaging stage presence combines effortlessly with his incendiary and original vocal style. Whether he’s blowing the roof off with fat-toned harmonica or brandishing his trademark fiery guitar, Mojo prowls the stage - imploring, preaching, boasting. With the kind of musical telepathy made possible only through many years of collaboration, these three guys work as one, creating a sound that’s fresh yet steeped in tradition. They are equally at home in a small blues club or on a large festival stage. They simply astonish.   In 2011, The Mojo Webb Band won the inaugural Blues Association of South East Queensland (BASEQ) ‘Memphis Blues Challenge’. Hot on the release of their sensational album ‘The Cat’ they made the trip to Memphis and made the semi finals.  www.mojowebb.com 

MASON RACK BAND   

Originating from the Gold Coast in Queensland, Mason Rack Band is not afraid to break all the musical genre rules. The bands new album Limits of Grip does just that, flaunting expectation by combining a classic mix of heavy rock, blues, jazz and roots .    Known for a swampy blues / rock sound  the band influences include flashes of Tom Waits, and Muddy Waters with roots extending to Ben Harper. Throw in a slide guitar, raspy vocals, a rocking bluesy bass, massive drum percussion and the result is a spectacular kaleidoscope of musical genres.    The popular three piece is renowned for their amazing live stage performances. Punters have been kicking up their heels to the drop down percussion beats that involve all three members of the band and the audience. The band has played alongside artists including Xavier Rudd, Jack Johnson, Buddy Guy and Keith Urban to name a few.      No band in Australia tours as hard as Mason Rack. Five touts to Canada and an upcoming tour of Germany compliment a full schedule at home in Australia. Brisbane rarely gets to see this band and they are sure to take the opportunity to demonstrate why the world is their oyster on 3 November  www.masonrack.com  
  

MOJO BLUESMEN   

They live in their van & tour the country delivering their raw style of dirty powerhouse blues wherever they find an audience. You will find them anywhere from a street corner busking - to the stages of some Australia’s leading music festivals. They were the highlight of last years Queensland Festival with a killer set that set the room alight. They just had to be asked back for a second year running!!!     Comprising of two of the county’s most brilliant blues musicians, Kiam Adcock (impromptu vocals and harmonica) and Tim Everett (slide guitar, stomp box and fuel can) joined forces back in January 2007. Tim, who was travelling  around Australia, stopped into Port Macquarie were Kiam was busking with his harmonica. Tim threw Kiam $20, told him he played a bit of blues guitar and asked if wanted to jump in for the ride... and so, MOJO BLUESMEN was born.   Since forming, MB have clocked up over 1500 busking gigs and sold in excess of 10,000 CD's. Drawing influence from 'old school blues' artists such as Muddy Waters, Sonny Terry, Robert Johnson - along with more contemporary acts such as Ash Grunwald, Dallas Frasca, The Fumes, Marshall and Chase the Sun, MB say they find inspiration for their music  in "anything with some fucking feeling!”.      Although MB have primarily been a busking act, they have also had the honour of sharing the bill with music icons such as Bob Dylan, BB King, ZZ Top, CW Stoneking, Jeff Lang, Tony Joe White, Xavier Rudd to name a few. They have secured a place at Byron Bay’s East Coast Blues and Roots Festival for 2 years running and also appeared at the Festival of the Sun, Port Macquarie. The duo have gigged for rival outlaw bikie gangs, remote mining camps and even were resident band at a strip club. In late 2011 Mojo Bluesmen set off on a busking extravaganza of the USA.  Covering 12 states in 2 months of non-stop blues, they made their way from San Francisco to Santiago stopping in a New Orleans and Nashville. Now back on home soil, Mojo Bluesmen continue to expand on their musical experience as they continue on their musical journey.  www.mojobluesmen.com  
  CONTINENTAL ROBERT AND MORNINGSIDE FATS   "Continental" Robert Susz is a vocalist, harmonica player & songwriter, ex Dynamic Hepnotics & The Mighty Reapers, with the Robert Susz composition "Soul Kind Of Feeling" winning a Gold APRA award 1985. Including a series of critically acclaimed albums for the Rufus label in Australia & Terra Nova in the USA & included award winning Susz compositions such as "Bad Luck Attack", "Trouble People" & "Guess I'll Find Out Later On"   Robert has joined with local up with local jump blues exponents Morningside Fats to perform a set at this years Queensland Festival of Blues. With the release of the EP ‘Someone Been Sleepin’ in My Bed’ the Fatties drew national attention and two visits to the Australian Blues Festival added to their lustre.   Together the Fatties and Conti promise to give a rollicking soul infused experience to Queensland Festival of Blues punters.  www.myspace.com/continentalrobertwww.reverbnation.com/morningsidefats  
  

STEVIE PAIGE   

 The vast array of music played in the family home would in later years have a significant impact on Stevie's writing style. Sound tracks to the big musicals like Oklahoma, Carousel and Don Quixote fostered a love of the 'grand' production. Even as her attention moved to the classical guitar, the draw to the more dramatic orchestral guitar music as opposed to the solo format was very evident. Stevie auditioned for and was accepted to one of Australia's most prestigious music schools, 'The Victorian College of the Arts'. Despite excelling at the college as a classical musician and an offer to continue studies at London's Royal College of music, the growing ambition to explore another side of the music world was proving irresistible. The seed for this was planted quite accidently when Stevie was asked to fill in for a local Blues Brother's tribute band. Fronting up to the show with her trusty classical guitar, the good humoured band firmly placed a borrowed Stratocaster in her hands with a "there ya go, plug that it in." With that, Stevie took her first, if somewhat flustered steps to playing on stage with a band. The band and Stevie were about as rough as they come that night, but the chemistry was magic. The proverbial light had been turned on and it was a significant turning point. With absolutely no doubt in her mind that this was the kind of performer she wanted to be, it was still to be determined what kind of artist she would be. Stevie began performing in numerous rock and cover bands, as well as releasing her first album and an EP. But it wasn't until Stevie came across a small independent Blues label in Australia that her eventual destination began to take shape. Encouraged to explore the world of Blues, Stevie set off across Australia armed with just her guitar and a stomp box. Four years of solo touring, exploring new songs, a solo album and the energy and enthusiasm from the growing fan base forged a confident and exceptional talent. Stevie was born to sing the blues and soul is her perfect medium. Stevie's 2010 release soul album "Welcome To The Big Time" marks her departure from performing solo. The coupling of 'that voice', signature guitar and a three piece rhythm section, punchy horns and lush strings produces a vibrancy and tone that is reminiscent of the "Memphis Sound" from Stax and Hi Records during the late 60s. Adding weight to the album is Stevie's pairing with Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite on an acoustic rendition of "Ol' Man River." This album is already collecting awards and accolades both at home and abroad.  www.steviepaige.com