News

LIL' ED WILLIAMS JOINS CONAN O'BRIEN ON STAGE

AT THE CHICAGO THEATRE

Chicago slide guitar master Lil' Ed Williams (leader of Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials) joined Conan O'Brien on stage during his sold-out "Legally Prohibited From Being Funny On Television" performance at the Chicago Theatre on May 20, 2010. Ed, along with the house band led by Jimmy Vivino, performed his original song, Icicles In My Meatloaf.

Conan and Lil' Ed first met back in 2006 when O'Brien brought his Late Night show to Chicago. Ed appeared with O'Brien in a hilarious filmed segment, followed by Ed sliding across the stage of the Chicago Theatre on his knees while playing and then jamming with the Late Night host. The entire Late Night staff was so impressed by Ed's talent and charisma that they invited him and The Blues Imperials back to New York for a full song performance later that year.

ANDERS OSBORNE AND MARCIA BALL PEFORM TO AID OIL SPILL VICTIMS AT GULF AID 2010 CONCERT

On May 16, 2010, Alligator artists Anders Osborne and Marcia Ball joined an all-star group of musicians for WWOZ's Gulf Aid 2010 concert. The event raised funds for victims of the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

The concert raised money and awareness of the ongoing problems. To donate, people may go to http://www.gulfaid.org/ or they can text "GULFAID 10" to 27138 to donate $10 to Gulf Aid. Replace "10" with the number of US dollars (no $ sign) donors would like to pledge. Donors will receive an automated call the next day to fulfill their pledge over the phone via credit card.

Or contributions may be mailed to: Gulf Relief Foundation, P.O. Box 6917, Metairie, LA 70009.

BEST OF MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS SET FOR DIGITAL-ONLY RELEASE

Alligator Records has set a May 25 release date for the digital-only album, The Best Of Michael "Iron Man" Burks. This is the first digital-only release in Alligator's history. It will be available at iTunes, Amazon.com, and almost all the other major download services.

THE BEST OF MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS features tracks from all three of Burks' Alligator releases and is an electrifying set of his emotional, rocked-out blues. Burks' fiery fretwork, gruff, fervent vocals and overwhelming intensity are here on full display. The songs on the album feature some of the hottest guitar playing and most soulful singing Burks has ever recorded.

The music on the THE BEST OF MICHAEL "IRON MAN" BURKS -- forged by his unquestionable talent and fueled by the experience of years on the road -- proves that electric guitar blues is alive and well in the skillful hands of the Iron Man, Michael Burks.

 SATURDAY, JUNE 12 AT 5 PM 

TOMMMY CASTRO BIG WINNER AT 
BLUES MUSIC AWARDS

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO ALSO SCORES

On Thursday, May 7 the Blues Foundation awarded Alligator recording artist Tommy Castro four 2010 Blues Music Awards, including the coveted B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Award. With his four wins, guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Castro took home more awards than any other artist at the 31st Annual Blues Music Awards ceremony held in Memphis at The Cook Convention Center. He also won the award for Band Of The Year, Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year (for his Alligator debut CD, Hard Believer), and for Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year.

Labelmate Stanley "Buckwheat" Dural, Jr. (of Buckwheat Zydeco) won the award for Best Instrumentalist - Accordion. The band recently won the Grammy Award in the Zydeco category for its Alligator debut, Lay Your Burden Down.

The Blues Music Awards are recognized as the highest honor given to blues artists.

TOMMY CASTRO
B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year
Band of the Year
Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year:  Hard Believer
Contemporary Blues Male Artist Of The Year

BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO
Instrumentalist Of The Year - Other (Accordion)

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AWARD-WINNING BLUES ARTIST JANIVA MAGNESS NAMED AMBASSADOR OF FOSTER CARE ALUMNI

Foster Care Alumni of America has named award-winning Alligator Records Recording Artist Janiva Magness Ambassador of Foster Care Alumni. In this capacity, Magness will serve as an advocate for children and adults who share the foster care experience, raising awareness and sharing her message of hope.

Nathan Monell, CEO of Foster Care Alumni of America, says, "Janiva's story of how blues brought power and hope to her world as an isolated and struggling youth in foster care reminds us that all 500,000 foster children and youth in care need what she found -- a place to belong and a purpose to engage within the world. We are proud to partner with her as FCAA's ambassador."

On any given day, there are more than 500,000 children in foster care -- and there are millions of adults in this country who were in the foster care system. Janiva is one of these alumni of the foster care system. She says, "Someone was brave enough to stand up for me when I was young and in foster care. Foster Care Alumni of America is standing up for people in and from the system every day, and I am so honored to have the opportunity to raise awareness and help make a difference in the lifetimes of children."

Magness' new CD, The Devil Is An Angel Too, debuted at #1 on the iTunes Blues chart and #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart. The Blues Foundation of Memphis, TN honored Janiva in 2009 as the recipient of the highly coveted B.B. King Entertainer of the Year Award, as well as the Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year, an award she has been nominated for again in 2010. In the last four years, she has been nominated 11 times and won four awards.

Although Janiva is now an international Blues star, her rise to the top was far from easy. Born in Detroit, Janiva was inspired by the blues and country she heard listening to her father's record collection, and by the vibrant music of the city's classic Motown sound. By her teenage years, though, her life was in chaos. She lost both parents to suicide by the age of 16 and lived on the streets, bouncing from one foster home to another. One night in Minneapolis, an underage Magness sneaked into a club to see blues great Otis Rush, and it was there that she found her salvation and realized that the Blues was her calling.

Janiva is currently touring internationally in support of her new release. In addition, she will be meeting with foster care alumni and foster parents and sharing her story about ways to make a difference in the lives of young people.

Foster Care Alumni of America is a national non-profit founded and led by alumni of the foster care system. Its mission is to connect the alumni community and to transform foster care policy and practice, ensuring opportunity for people in and from foster care.

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - APRIL 21, 2010
CONTACT: MARC LIPKIN / 773-973-7736 x235
EMAIL: publicity@allig.com 
www.alligator.com

JANIVA MAGNESS' THE DEVIL IS AN ANGEL TOO DEBUTS AT #3 ON BILLBOARD BLUES CHART!

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL TOUR GETS UNDERWAY

Award-winning vocalist Janiva Magness' new CD, The Devil Is An Angel Too, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart for the week ending April 18, 2010. The CD also debuted as the #1 blues CD at iTunes. Magness, the reigning B.B. King Entertainer Of The Year Blues Music Award holder, is embarking on an international tour in support of her new release. Magness is among the premier blues and R&B singers in the world today. Her voice possesses an earthy, raw honesty and beauty born from her life experience. A charismatic performer known for her electrifying live shows, Magness is a gutsy and dynamic musical powerhouse. USA Today calls Magness, "A blues star."

Although Magness is now a bona fide blues star, her rise to the top was far from easy. Born in Detroit, Magness was inspired by the blues and country she heard listening to her father's record collection, and by the vibrant music of the city's classic Motown sound. By her teenage years, though, her life was in chaos. She lost both parents to suicide by the age of 16 and lived on the streets, bouncing from one foster home to another. At 17, she became a teenage mother who gave up her baby daughter for adoption. One night in Minneapolis, an underage Magness sneaked into a club to see blues great Otis Rush, and it was there that she found her salvation and decided that the blues were her calling. Magness recalls, "Otis played as if his life depended on it. There was a completely desperate, absolute intensity. I knew, whatever it was, I needed more of it." Her rise to the top of the blues world is nothing short of amazing.

In addition to her musical accomplishments, Magness is reaching out to help others. She is a National Spokesperson for Casey Family Programs (her fourth consecutive year), promoting National Foster Care Month (May). "It is a huge honor and a daunting responsibility. But I am very excited to be a part of it, and I look forward to carrying the message of hope for youth in the foster care system," says Magness. "Casey Family Programs does groundbreaking work, and I am deeply honored to work with them again."  Magness has also reconnected with her daughter, and is now the proud grandmother of an eight-year-old boy. "Our fate doesn't have to be our destiny," she says. "I'm living proof of that. And I'm so very grateful."

CONFIRMED TOUR DATES:

Apr 30, 2010 Bradfordville Blues Club Tallahassee, FL

May 01, 2010 Blind Willie's Atlanta, GA

May 02, 2010 Beale Street Music Festival Memphis, TN

May 07, 2010 3rd & Lindsley Nashville, TN, with Gary Nicholson

May 08, 2010 Mackiavelli's Bristol, TN

May 09, 2010 Papa Mojo's Roadhouse Durham, NC

May 10, 2010 Woodsongs Old Time Radio Hour Lexington, KY

May 12, 2010 The Birchmere Alexandria, VA, with Roomful of Blues

May 13, 2010 Mexicali Live Teaneck, NJ

May 14, 2010 The Venue Freeport, ME

May 15, 2010 Narrows Center for the Arts Fall River, MA

May 16, 2010 Bobbique Patchogue, NY

May 18, 2010 BB King Blues Club New York, NY

May 19, 2010 Regattabar Cambridge, MA

May 20, 2010 Gerald Veasley's Jazz Base Reading, PA

May 21, 2010 Warmdaddy's Philadelphia, PA, 05/21/2010 - 05/22/2010

May 22, 2010 Warmdaddy's Philadelphia, PA

May 23, 2010 Moondogs Blawnox, PA

Jun 14, 2010 Brackins Blues Club Maryville, TN

Jun 16, 2010 Riverbend Festival Chattanooga, TN

Jun 18, 2010 Somers Point Concert Series Somers Point, NJ

Jun 19, 2010 Cannery Casino Music Festival Las Vegas, NV

Jun 26, 2010 Carnegie Hall Lewisburgh, WV

Jul 04, 2010 Waterfront Blues Festival Portland, OR

Jul 09, 2010 Oskar Blues Longmont, CO

Jul 10, 2010 Blues & Brews Festival Denver, CO

Jul 15, 2010 Mont-Tremblant Blues Festival Mont-Tremblant, Ontario, CANADA

Jul 17, 2010 Blues Festival Int'l London London, Ontario, CANADA

Jul 18, 2010 Blues Festival Int'l Windsor Windsor, Ontario, CANADA

Jul 25, 2010 Commons Beach Concert Series Tahoe City, CA

Jul 31, 2010 Mt. Baker Blues Festival Bellingham, WA

Aug 01, 2010 Bite of Salem Festival Salem, OR

Aug 06, 2010 Notodden Blues Fest Notodden, NORWAY

08/06/2010 - 08/08/10 with special guests Robin Rogers & Thornetta Davis

Aug 07, 2010 Notodden Blues Fest Notodden, NORWAY

Aug 08, 2010 Notodden Blues Fest Notodden, NORWAY

Aug 14, 2010 Heritage Blues Festival Wheeling, WV

Oct 17, 2010 Southern Arizona Blues & Heritage Festival Tucson, AZ

Jan 22, 2011 Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Caribbean cruise -- 1/22 - 1/29

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ALLIGATOR RECORDS SET MAY 25 STREET DATE FOR NEW RELEASE FROM SMOKIN' JOE KUBEK AND BNOIS KING

Alligator Records has set a May 25 street date for Have Blues, Will Travel from Texas guitar slingers Smokin' Joe Kubek And Bnois King. The two Lone Star guitarists -- one a hard-edged, hard rocking blues player and the other a jazzy, elegant rhythm player who delivers raw, spontaneous solos -- have taken their dual guitar attack from the heart of Texas to fans around the globe. Kubek and King's twin-frontman lineup is unparalleled on the blues scene. Backed by their rock-solid rhythm section, Kubek's fiery guitar work is perfectly matched by King's sophisticated rhythm playing and rough-edged, down-home soloing and his soulfully conversational vocals. Their new CD (their second for Alligator and the 12th of their careers), Have Blues, Will Travel, is a collection of fresh, original songs played with passion, taste and a white-hot intensity.

With Have Blues, Will Travel, Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King take a giant step forward. The chemistry between Kubek's blistering fretwork and King's savvy vocals and unpredictable, multifaceted guitar work creates a roadhouse blend of muscular blues-rock, hip-shaking shuffles and slow-burning blues. Each song is infused with deep, from-the-heart musicianship, carefully crafted, true-to-life lyrics and delivered with the occasional smile. King wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, with words that are clever and poetic. The slice-of-life lyrics, delivered with King's dry, storyteller's drawl, are honest, believable, wryly humorous and truly insightful.

Joe Kubek was born in Pennsylvania in 1956 but grew up just outside of Dallas. He was leading his own bands and gigging in clubs all around Dallas when he was only 14. Bowled over by the blues a short time after first hearing Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck, Kubek soon discovered the music of Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf and other early blues masters including Freddie King, Johnny Copeland and Lightnin' Hopkins. By the time he was 19, he was backing many famous blues players in the area, including legend Freddie King. In 1976, Kubek was about to head out on tour with King when King died suddenly of a heart attack.

Kubek next worked with R&B singer Al "TNT" Braggs and made a host of new friends, including Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan (with whom Kubek became close), B.B. King and many other blues icons. He often found himself jamming with these larger-than-life blues stars, while playing constantly around the Dallas area. He not only learned tips and techniques, but also soaked up stories and the lessons of being a professional touring musician.

Bnois (pronounced Buh-noice) King was born in Delhi, LA in 1943. He was inspired to play guitar by his high school music teacher. Before long, Bnois was playing blues cover songs with a local band. On his own, he traveled through Texas, Oklahoma and Colorado, finding local bands to gig with and also performing with carnival tent show groups. King made his way to Dallas in 1979, gigging with jazz combos until he hooked up with Kubek ten years later. A master storyteller, King didn't start writing and singing until he joined forces with Joe, when both duties fell on him. "We needed a singer so I sang," King recalls, "and every time I did the crowds went wild. We needed songs so I wrote about things that happened to me, to people I knew. That's what I still do today." In 1989, Kubek met King at a Monday night Dallas jam session. The two became fast friends, and melded their seemingly divergent styles into one of the most potent guitar combinations the Southwest had ever produced.

On the strength of their huge local following, Kubek and King signed to Bullseye Blues in 1991 and released their debut recording. After conquering the Dallas scene, the band began touring clubs, concert halls and festivals nationally and internationally. Following a successful series of Bullseye releases, they signed to Blind Pig Records in 2003. As their popularity continued to build on the strength of their recordings and the energy of their live shows, the band's touring schedule grew to over 150 dates per year all across the United States, Canada and Europe (where they have toured more than a dozen times).

Kubek and King signed with Alligator in 2008 and released Blood Brothers. The fresh approach, the smoking hot playing and the original, slice-of-life lyrics all added up to a blues lover's delight. The Dallas Observer said, "An electric blast of twelve-bar heaven...they blow the roof off."

More than anything else, Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King love to perform live. With Have Blues, Will Travel and another massive tour planned, the band will hit the ground running as they gig from coast to coast, bringing their no-holds-barred brand of soul-charged, rockin' Texas blues to old fans and newcomers night after night. Have Blues, Will Travel is not just the name of the new album. For Smokin' Joe Kubek and Bnois King, it's a way of life.

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This week will see Wendell Holmes of the Holmes Brothers featured in the NPR/WXPN weekly podcast A Musician's Life, hosted by Tracey Tanenbaum. This podcast, which gives a glimpse into his personal life, features interview footage with Wendell that gives a deeper look into the motivations behind their newest release, Feed My Soul, his recent battle with cancer as well as snippets of "Edge of the Ledge," "Feed My Soul" and "Fair Weather Friend."

This segment will air this week on WXPN.

You can subscribe to this podcast at iTunes or Yahoo through the links below

http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=261620280

http://add.my.yahoo.com/rss?url=http://feeds.feedburner.com/amusicianslife

The Holmes Brothers' new CD, FEED MY SOUL, is the #1 album on this week's Billboard Blues Chart. The album, produced by Joan Osborne, is already being hailed as the best of the band's long career.

Click below to watch a very revealing video interview with band members Sherman Holmes, Wendell Holmes and Popsy Dixon, and producer Osborne. They talk about making the album and Wendell's triumphant victory over bladder cancer.

Long Form -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v_4qYRw5Zk&hl
Short form -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYKo4vNRzgw&hl

The band was featured on National Public Radio's Weekend Edition and has already received glowing reviews from Billboard, Paste, USA Today and many other national and regional publications.

Guitar Shorty's Bare Knuckle
Debuts At #3 On Billboard Blues Chart

Guitar Shorty's new CD, BARE KNUCKLE, debuted at #3 on this week's BillboardPaste calls it "a great blues record" and goes on to say, "Guitar Shorty is a guitar god." Blues Chart.

Shouts of encouragement have already come from Texas Monthly, Paste, Variety, Allmusic, Cleveland Scene and The San Francisco Examiner, with much more to follow.

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TWO JJ GREY SONGS TO APPEAR ON
FOX TELEVISION'S HOUSE

Two of songwriter and vocalist JJ Grey's recordings will appear in tonight's episode of FOX Television's medical drama, House. The episode, entitled "Private Lives," features the songs Lochloosa (the title track from JJ Grey & Mofro's second album, reissued by Alligator in 2008) and The Sun Is Shining Down (from the band's 2007 CD, COUNTRY GHETTO). Grey is currently at work on a new album, tentatively due for Fall 2010 release.

TOMMY CASTRO TO APPEAR ON THE HOUSE OF BLUES
RADIO HOUR

Guitarist/vocalist Tommy Castro, who is currently touring behind his recent Alligator CD, HARD BELIEVER, will appear on The House Of Blues Radio Hour the weekend of March 13 - 14. Castro will sit down with Elwood Blues (AKA Dan Aykroyd) to discuss his career and his new CD.

The House Of Blues Radio Hour airs nationally on over 200 radio stations around the country. For more info check out www.thebluesmobile.com.