Electric Blues

Adolphus Bell

“I got the advantage over a lot of artists. I got my whole band by myself.” - Adolphus Bell Feet flying, eyes flashing, hands on the guitar and song coming from the heart, that’s the Adolphus Bell One-Man Band. Born: June 5, 1944, Birmingham, Alabama Repertoire Summary:  One Man Band,…

Skeeter Brandon

Despite his relative youth, still in his early 50s, Skeeter’s music reflects the influence of a century of African American songster traditions. He has the capability of earning a living by making music for any audience – black or white. He also makes each show an emotional experience for the…

Tommy Brown

“After 60 plus years in the show business, he can still make you dance, sing, laugh and cry all in a single song.” Tommy Brown is more than a legendary Blues singer, he is truly a legendary entertainer.  This is proven in his classic Blues recordings of the 1950s, including…

Lil’ Joe Burton

Joe Burton, affectionately known as “Lil” Joe from Chicago, is the quintessential Blues instrumentalist in a class of his own. Lil’ Joe’s career began in 1964 with the late, great Junior Wells.  Joe’s relationship with Junior continued for years but he also toured with other great acts such as, Bobby…

Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen

Pat “Mother Blues” Cohen’s powerful voice, humor and deep Blues bring the audience to their feet. Born: April 29, 1957 Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Greensboro, NC More about Pat: Since the age of six, Pat was surrounded by music.  Her blues classroom was on the porch of her…

Robert Lee Coleman

After years of playing the Blues, Robert continues on while his stirring vocals and dynamic guitar playing light the stage on fire. Born: May 15, 1945, in Macon, GA Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Macon, GA Robert Lee Coleman of Macon, Georgia played guitar for Percy Sledge from 1964…

George Daniels

George Daniels was born April 27, 1929 in Macon County, Alabama. George still lives not far from where he was raised. He can really sing the blues and is a deep blues guitar and harp player. George treasures and nurtures the old ways in which he was raised. He makes…

James Davis

James Davis (1931-2007) was from Perry, Georgia. Mid-Georgia remains a vast untapped area of undocumented musical traditions. His music stemed from the fife and drum music, which is among the oldest African-American musical traditions. His father played the snare drum and his uncle played the bass drum. They used to…

Ardie Dean

Ardie Dean’s infectious happy-spirited charisma drives the Music Maker Revue. He is a world-class drummer who has been with Music Maker since 1991. Born: January 29, 1955 Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues and Electric Blues, drums Current Location: Huntsville, AL More about Ardie: Ardie Dean has been keeping blues time since…

Ernie K Doe

Ernie-K-Doe had a huge hit with the novelty song “Mother-in-Law” in 1961. He and his wife Antoinette opened their own club in New Orleans in 1994 which was a popular stop for musicians coming through town. Ernie had been through the mill but with help of his wife he regained…

Cool John Ferguson

“It didn’t matter where the music came from. I just learned it all – TV themes, blues, R&B, jazz, gospel – it all came in my ears and through my hands.”-Cool John Ferguson Born: December 1953 on St. Helena’s Island, South Carolina Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Rocky Mount,…

Lee Gates

Lee Gates has an incredible presence, standing well over six feet tall, his entire body draped with muscles from a life of hard work. He also has Blues genes, since he’s a first cousin to Albert Collins.  If Lee isn’t a true-Blue, Mississippi Delta Bluesman, then nobody can carry that…

Little Freddie King

“If you want the real blues - and I’m not talkin’ about some long-haired hippy beatin’ on a National Resonator guitar or a mustachiod, Italian-suited slickster blowin’ on a chromatic harmonica - baby, you’d better call Little Freddie King.” Dr. Ira Padnos, musicologist Born: McComb, Mississippi, July 19, 1940 Repertoire…

Sonny Boy King

“As for my advice to kids today, they are worried too much about what kind of guitar they have. I tell them, as long as it got the strings on it, play it. The guitar does not play itself. You got to play it. But the most important thing is…

Guitar Lightnin’ Lee

Guitar Lightnin’ Lee, a multi-talented rhythm and blues purist, has defied all rational logic by assembling his band with a bunch of veteran rock and rollers half his age. His talent, lyrics, powerful voice, and boisterous personality match perfectly with his backup band. Thus, creating a supercharged blown out style…

Jerry “Boogie” McCain

“Jerry ‘Boogie’ McCain is among the greatest post war harp players alive today.” -Tim Duffy, MMRF President Born: 1930, Gadsden, AL Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Gadsden, AL Jerry “Boogie” McCain is the greatest post war harp player alive today. In 2001 he remains at the height of his…

Mudcat

“Mudcat is a tremendous slide guitarist, and most of all, a God-gifted entertainer.” Tim Duffy Born: Tybee Island, Georgia Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, Georgia Born in St. Paul on the banks of the Mississippi River and raised on Tybee Island, Georgia, Mudcat began engaging audiences while traveling…

Chicago Bob Nelson

“Chicago Bob Nelson’s singing and playing is in prime form; he plays the Blues the way it was meant to be played-from the heart.” Born: July 4, 1944, in Bogalusa, LA Repertoire Summary: Acoustic Blues, Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, GA Chicago Bob Nelson has played the Blues ever since…

Bubba Norwood

Drummer James “Bubba” Norwood’s credentials are among the brightest of any MM artist. Known mostly for his long-time association with Ike and Tina Turner, James has anchored the rhythm section for a Who’s Who of blues, soul, and R&B greats. Born: June 20, 1942 in North Carolina Repertoire Summary: Acoustic…

Abe Reid

Abe Reid is a master of growling out old tunes and screaming harmonica, and now his authentic finger picking style has lots of new guitar squeaks and squonks to unleash on the unsuspecting. Abe’s style inspires countless imitations and makes getting the blues enjoyable. He’s an innovator, creating infectious melodies…

Eddie Tigner

“You can’t separate the person and his music - especially with this man. When you are in his presence, you can’t help but smile. You can’t help but be happy and joyful and when he plays it’s the same thing. If you were blind and you heard him play, you…

Beverly “Guitar” Watkins

“My style is real Lightnin’ Hopkins lowdown blues. I call it hard classic blues, stompin’ blues, railroad smokin’ blues.” - Beverly “Guitar” Watkins If you’ve never seen a blues lady who can play her guitar behind her head, belt out songs and roll over to sweet gospel, you’ve never been…

Albert White

“Albert White is no stranger to rhythm and blues.” - Ardie Dean, MMRF Advisory Board Member & MMRF Drummer Born: December 1, 1942 Repertoire Summary: Electric Blues Current Location: Atlanta, GA More about Albert: Albert White began playing guitar in the late ‘50s with his legendary uncle, Piano Red, and…

Pat Wilder

“One of the most exciting blues guitarists/vocalists to come out of the bay area in a long time.” - Lee Hildebrand, The San Francisco Bay Guardian “Blues” is Patricia Wilder’s self-described music style - “real” music about “real” people, living real. Wilder’s musical foundation is rooted in jazz, rock, R&B,…