2013 George’s Music Springing the Blues Festival Performers

April 5, 6, & 7

	Beech Street Blues Band The Beech Street Blues Band’s story is one of spontaneous combustion. When Jeff Malone became one of the founding members of the Amelia Island Blues Festival Committee, a seed was sown to perform on stage as well. An accomplished drummer himself with multiple band experiences, he found Mike Hawthorn to be the perfect bass player/vocalist and when guitar wizard, Wisconsin import, Dan Voll was “discovered” during an impromptu jam session at the Pétanque America Tournament last November, the Beech Street Blues Band was born.

	Cedric Burnside Project Cedric Burnside, grandson of the legendary R.L. Burnside, son of drummer great Calvin Jackson, is widely regarded as one of the best drummers in the world. Growing up at his grandfathers side, he began touring at age 13, playing drums for "Big Daddy" on stages around the globe. Cedric was born in 1978 and raised around Holly Springs,Mississippi, and has been playing music all his life, developing a relentless, highly rhythmic charged style with strong hip-hop and funk influences. In addition to "Big Daddy," Cedric has also played with Kenny Brown, North Mississippi Allstars, Burnside Exploration, Bobby Rush and many others. In 2006 he was featured in the movie "Black Snake Moan," playing drums alongside Samuel L. Jackson. Cedric has teamed up with guitarist Lightnin Malcolm to form the Juke Joint Duo, proving to be a powerful vocalist and great songwriter. Cedric is a special talent that has brought new life and energy to the blues, and is loved by fans around the world.

	Damon Fowler Group With his hybrid of roots rock, blues, and sacred steel, Florida native Damon Fowler started wowing audiences with his musical exploits as a teenager, building a reputation as one of the hottest young players on the scene. Adding songwriting and vocal skills to his repertoire over the years has brought him many accolades, with critics extolling his originality and maturity as well as his technical guitar expertise. In last year's "Best of Tampa" poll, Creative Loafing magazine named him "Best Guitarist... And Slide Guitarist... and Lap Steel Player... And Dobro Player."

	Dave Fields Dave Fields is an Electrifying Rocker with a Blues Soul. He is a “genre-busting” guitarist and virtuoso whose performances are always awe inspiring and intensely passionate. He has been stunning audiences on The Legendary Blues Cruises, various venues throughout the East Coast, as well as Norway & Moscow.

	David Gerald Gerald's blues have been receiving widespread radio play, along with recognition in the blues community. Recently Gerald was listed as #1 on the ReverbNation blues charts for Michigan Blues artists. His debut album "Hell and Back" reached #1 on Roots Music Report's Blues Chart for Michigan based artists and has remained in the top 20 for many weeks in a row. "Hell And Back" contains five studio originals and five live arrangements of well-known tunes including Thrill is Gone, Red House and Cold Shot.

	Diedra Hurdle Born and raised in Norfolk,Virginia, DieDra has been singing since she can remember. It was a God-given talent that has exploded into a gift that she shares with the world. DieDra was raised by her maternal grandfather, who wrote and sang songs in the church. DieDra was a part of the family singing group at the age of nine. As the lead singer, she has been inspired by Aretha Franklin, Patti Labelle, and Whitney Houston. DieDra has spent a majority of her life in Jacksonville,Florida. As an ex-military spouse, she taught herself how to get around the city in search of a manager for her career. In 1996 she met the late Charlie Cross, of Brunswick,Ga.He signed her to his management company and her career began. DieDra has had the opportunity to open up for Betty Wright, Bobby Brown, Candi Staton, Frankie Beverly and Maze, Bar-Kays, Glenn Jones, Denise LaSalle, Al Green, Avant, Carl Thomas, Sunshine Anderson and currently touring with Bobby

	E. G. Kight A veteran of the road, EG Kight has headlined at clubs, theaters and festivals, bringing her diverse musical menu to the fans in cities across America and in Europe. Kight continues to tour, as a solo and with a band. Kight closed out 2011 working two shows with B.B. King. January found her in the studio producing an album for Americana artist, Lisa Biales, and in February she was involved in international fundraising in Japan and Mexico. She has shared the stage with a wide array of artists, including Koko Taylor, Hubert Sumlin, Foghat, Pinetop Perkins, Phoebe Snow, Delbert McClinton, Gregg Allman, Merle Haggard, Little Feat, and the Bloomsburg Symphony Orchestra. Kight has also appeared on NPR’s “A Prairie Home Companion”, and one song from her segment was re-broadcast on the Listener’s Choice Program.Born and raised in a small town in rural Georgia, Kight still lives on the land that’s been in her family for four generations. Her roots go deep, and that comes through in her music. More than just a strikingly rich vocalist, from a family of gospel singers, Kight has also mastered the guitar, gaining the attention of Taylor Guitars, who supplies her with the tools of her trade.

	Ed Cotton

	Jim McKaba Jim McKaba brings his 30-year background in blues and R& B together with a group of veteran musicians to lead his current group, the After Hours Band. Jim’s musical performance history dates back to the early 1970’s. At that time, great opportunities existed to perform with fathers of the blues idiom including Muddy Waters, Eddie Taylor Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins, Big Walter Horton, Fred Below, S P Leary, and many others. The influence of his experience with these musicians guides Jim’s playing and arranging today. It also helped him develop the versatility that is often called upon when supporting other artists as a sideman or bandleader, and in leading his own bands on the piano or theHammond organ. Jim has performed on blues festivals, concert stages and clubs for over 30 years, including Spring the Blues festivals 1993 – 2009, the Philadelphia Riverfront Blues Festival in 1993, the Amelia Island Blues Festival 2002, South Florida Boogie Piano Fest 2011, opening act for Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee in 1976, Gatemouth Brown in 2003, and many other memorable performances as both an accompanist and bandleader.

	Kim Simmonds and Savoy Brown From London’s Soho night clubs in 1966 to headlining the world’s most famous venues (Carnegie Hall, Fillmore’s East and West, Cobo Hall, etc) Savoy Brown has done it all and as the band continues to tour worldwide they give a glimpse into the past and also inspire new listeners with their personal brand of rocking boogie, blues and rock. In 2011 Kim signed the band to Ruf Records releasing the album “Voodoo Moon” that has became a best seller on Amazon. Going into 2013 Simmonds has returned to a three piece band once again, singing and playing guitar along with Pat DeSalvo on bass and Garnet Grimm on drums.

	Linda Grenville When Linda first heard Bonnie Raitt playing bottleneck slide and Janis Joplin screaming out the blues, she knew she had to be a blues singer. She listened to all female blues singers including Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Shemekia Copeland, and Susan Tedeschi. Through their influence Linda developed her own blues style. She has been in various bands, and in each, her contributions always seemed to be based in the blues. Linda loves the honesty and emotion found in blues and strives to be true to the lyrics and feeling of each song she sings. Linda has dreamed for many years of forming a solid blues band, backed by talented musicians who love blues music as much as she does. Performing at the 2012 Springing the Blues with her new band means she finally realized her dream and is returning to the 2013 Springing the Blues stage.

	Parker Urban The Parker Urban Band (John Parkerurban, Myrna Stallworth, Juanita Parkerurban, Eric Davis) is a family of musicians who appreciate musicology and groovology. Each member has a different variety of influences that all connect to a common thread. The joy and emotion starts here. The songs written hold a piece of personal history shared to the world. It is in their hopes to touch fans with their words and blues soul folk tinged sounds

	Peterson Brothers Band Glenn Peterson, Jr. Age 16 Lead vocals / Guitar: Glenn plays the blues with a heavy influence of funk in his rhythm guitar playing, and a smooth, jazz-like technique combined with a traditional blues approach in his lead work. Alex Peterson Age 14 Vocals / Bass Guitar / Violin: Alex brings the thump, with some funk and a smooth jazzy sound to the group. Recently the Peterson Brothers have opened for B.B. King and had the opportunity to play with Mr. Buddy Guy on stage at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in Austin, Texas during a live performance. The Peterson Brothers also had the incredible opportunity to cut a track with Bootsy Collins on the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus. Since then, Mr. Collins has been a strong supporter of the boys, advising them and their parents on how to guide their careers and invited them to be a part of the Bootzilla Productions family.

	Rachael Warfield A Jacksonville Beach Florida native, Rachael Warfield has been singing and performing in numerous off-broadway musical productions since she was three years old, including garnishing the lead role of “Annie” by the time she was eight years old. By thirteen, Rachael was admitted into Douglas Anderson High-School of the Performing Arts where she majored in vocal music and studied piano. She has been fine-tuning her musical and song writing abilities ever since. Rachael’s voice is subtle and electric while her music exhibits the flare and originality required to draw fans closer. Her expression is passionate and soulful, and she infuses audiences with a progressive touch of rock and blues. Rachael conveys a distinct intelligence and individualism which is felt through her effortless rhythmic delivery and brilliantly realized in her magnificent voice.

	Selwyn Birchwood Band The Selwyn Birchwood Band has made a significant impact on fans throughout their home state of Florida at clubs and festivals alike as they have continuously wowed audiences with their high-energy performances rooted deeply in the traditions of the blues greats. They have garnered many accolades along the way which include making the “2012 International Blues Challenge Finals” in Memphis, placing them in the top 9 of over 225 bands competing from all over the world. They have also consistently found themselves alongside the best in the business as they have opened for the likes of Buddy Guy, Robert Cray, John Lee Hooker Jr., and Joe Louis Walker, among many other international acts in recent years. The band is comprised of very experienced musicians who are no strangers to the road. Selwyn Birchwood (guitar and vocals) got his start with Texas blues legend Sonny Rhodes touring throughout the U.S. and Canada at the age of 19. Curtis Nutall (drums) traveled internationally with many bands including The Blind Boys of Alabama and a 5 year stint with Joe Louis Walker. Bass player Huff Wright and Regi Oliver (saxophone) have found themselves backing several notable blues artists all over the world including Lucky Peterson and Joey Gilmore. Together they perform a hip shaking, roof rattling mix of blues that has won over countless fans. The band has been touring in support of their current CD “FL Boy” and is hard at work in the studio on their second release. One thing is for certain, the group’s unique brand of swampy FL Blues should not be missed!

	Sue Foley and Peter Karp Noted songwriter/guitarist Blind Pig recording artist Peter Karp and Canadian Juno Award winning Guitarwoman Sue Foley made a big splash in 2010 when they released their first CD together "He Said, She Said." The CD hit the Top 10 on the Billboard Blues Charts and was #1 for 6 weeks on the National Blues and Roots Charts. For the last 2 years they have kept up a frenetic touring pace with features at the Bayfront Blues Festival, New York State Blues Festival, Pittsburgh Blues Festival, Bethlehem Musikfest, the Americana Festival, and Castel San Pietro Blues in Italy. “He Said She Said” was featured on Sirius/XM Radio, NPR, CBC radio, PBS TV, The House of Blues Bluesmobile and Woodsongs Radio Hour among others. They earned nominations at the International Blues Music Awards in Memphis and the Maple Blues Awards in Canada.

	The Lee Boys The Lee Boys are one of America’s finest African-American sacred steel ensembles. This family group consists of three brothers, Alvin Lee (guitar), Derrick Lee and Keith Lee (vocals) along with their three nephews, Roosevelt Collier (pedal steel guitar), Alvin Cordy Jr. (7-string bass) and Earl Walker (drums). Each member began making music at the ages of 7 and 8 in the House of God church they attended in Perrine, FL. Here they underwent a rigorous course of training in a variety of musical instruments, including lap and pedal steel guitars. Born and raised in Miami, each of The Lee Boys grew up in the church where their father and grandfather, Rev. Robert E. Lee, was the pastor and a steel player himself. “Sacred steel” is a type of music described as an inspired, unique form of Gospel music with a hard-driving, blues-based beat. The musical genre is rooted in Gospel, but infused with rhythm and blues, jazz, rock, funk, hip-hop, country and ideas from other nations. Influenced by the Hawaiian steel guitar fad of the 1930’s, brothers Willie and Troman Eason brought the electric lap steel guitar into the worship services of the House of God church in Jacksonville, FL. The Pentecostal congregation embraced the soulful sound, and over time this unique sound became the hallmark of the church. The pedal steel guitar was added to the mix and soon became the central instrument. The Lee Boys are part of the fourth generation of musicians in this faith.

	Victor Wainwright & The WildRoots Beale Street to the Bayou, their newest release, is contemporary power-house blues, funky Memphis soul and roots rock’n’roll. Featuring the high-octane boogie piano and big soul sounds of vocalist and blues man Victor Wainwright, backed by one of the tightest smokin' jam bands on the scene; the WildRoots.

	Willie Randolf His flavorful blend is brewed with a rich organic combination of guitar and vocals harvested from South Mississippi consistent with the flavor of Randy Banks. It is at this point where the most robust of low end is applied. Such vibration and pulsation can only be rooted from the soil of Jacksonville, Florida and is nothing short of Reverent. With two thirds of the mixture at room temperature the percussive friction of Northeastern Floridian Royalty is added; known and loved by all, her majesty, B.B. Queen. This cocktail of explosive ingredients and byproducts is then placed in a cool dark place to undergo the fermentation process to become what we know as Willie Randolf.

	Zac Harmon Born and raised in the heart of Jackson, Mississippi, Zac Harmon is a true disciple of the music that emanated from the city’s historic Farish Street district, universally recognized as the home of such great blues legends like the late, great Elmore James. Composing and performing music for a movie score, Harmon was compelled to pursue his longtime dream to return to his roots and record his first Blues project. The result was 2002’s Live at Babe & Ricky's Inn, an electrifying testimony to Mississippi Blues, which showcased the sound at its best and introduced Harmon as a true torchbearer for the “next generation of the Blues”. In 2004, with his then band, the Mid South Blues Revue, he won the Blues Foundation’s prestigious International Blues Challenge (IBC) title of “Best Unsigned Band". That release was followed by The Blues According To Zacariah, which garnered major national airplay, including XM, Sirius and the American Blues Network. XM listeners voted Harmon “Best New Blues Artist” in the inaugural XM Nation Awards in 2005. In 2006, Harmon won the Blues Music Award for “Best New Artist Debut” for The Blues According to Zacariah. Later that year, he was featured in Blues Revue magazine, as one of the 10 artists that “…represent the future of the blues”