BEAUMONT, TX – On “The Road Never Ends,” the second track of Mike Zito’s new June 11 CD, Gone to Texas, he cranks things into the stratosphere with a sonic blast of electric slide guitar and blistering vocals, accompanied on vocals and harmonica by the great Delbert McClinton. Also along for the ride on his label debut solo CD for Ruf Records are special guests Sonny Landreth on guitar, Susan Cowsill on vocals and Lewis Stephens (Delbert McClinton, Freddie King) on keyboards.
It Takes One to Know One Blues and soul singer Janiva Magness was no stranger to trouble and hard times growing up, and at her best, she pours that lifetime of emotion into her passionate phrasing and vocal delivery. Born in Detroit, Magness grew up with her father's blues and country record collection, as well as the city's wonderfully Motown pop-soul sound, all of which shaped her style and approach as a musician.
**Mark "The Muleman" Massey blues band. This Mississippi band is tearing up the south with their brand of Hill Country, and soulful blues, featuring Mark "The Muleman" Massey on vocals and guitar, and Grammy & Emmy award winner Billy Earheart on piano and organ, with Dave Bennett bass and Walter Pope drums, from the Memphis Blues Society and 40 yrs veterans of the music scene.
It is almost unfair to simply call Jordan Thomas a singer-songwriter. From the moment he steps on stage, it becomes clear that Thomas is first and foremost both a student and purveyor of American roots music. Although certainly influenced by the big, horn-driven soul sounds of Stax Records, Atlantic Records, or Muscle Shoals, Thomas couples his brand of southern soul with the understated simplicity of an acoustic guitar. His playing is raw and fierce yet at times refined and subdued – perfectly paired with a full, emotion-soaked voice and an obvious passion for lyricism.
Sister Lucille is a four piece Blues and Roots band hailing from southwest missouri. With most of their inspiration coming from Beale Street, This band is well versed in the art of blues and entertainment. After 20 years of on stage experience together, Kimberly Dill's soulful, gut wrenching vocals and Jamie Holdren's heartfelt, blistering guitar solo's are sure to turn a lot of heads. The thunderous rhythm section consists of Terry Simmons on the Fender Jazz bass and Kevin Lyons on the drums.
