MUSIC / BANDS
Blues Foundation Award winner Laurie Morvan has built a career playing guitar-driven, rocking blues, with a back pocket full of well-warranted swagger, and songs that reflect true craftsmanship. In an era where fewer and fewer artists are truly aware of (and engage) their audience, she is a true entertainer; a musical ringmaster leading her devastatingly tight band through a myriad of twists and turns with a level of finesse and musical intuition that only comes from years of working together.
Laurie and her band have toured extensively throughout the USA and Canada, with short stints in Mexico and Europe, lighting up the main stages of some of the industry’s most respected blues festivals, including King Biscuit Blues Festival, Calgary Bluesfest, Magic City Blues Fest, Budweiser Illinois Blues Festival, Thunder Bay Blues Festival, and many others.
Since bursting onto the national blues scene in 2008, Morvan's albums have all been critically praised, netting an array of awards and nominations, and her fiery string work has consistently brought acclaim from some of the world's top guitar magazines. Her latest CD, Gravity (recorded with Grammy and BMA Award winning producer/drummer Tony Braunagel), features 12 originals that shake, shimmy and sizzle with her signature playing and soulful, effervescent style. It's also her most successful release to-date, clocking nearly a year on the Top 50 Blues-Rock Radio Chart and making the 1st Round Grammy Ballot for Best Contemporary Blues Album, along with a nomination for Best Blues Album in the prestigious DownBeat Reader’s Poll.
Albert Cummings is a blues guitarist and singer who has been steadily rising in the music world since his debut album in 2003. His latest release, TEN, marks a significant breakthrough in his career, solidifying his place in modern blues. Produced by Chuck Ainlay, known for his work with artists like Mark Knopfler and George Strait, TEN features a dream team of musicians and showcases Cummings' evolving sound. The album's 13 tracks reflect his life experiences and musical journey, blending blues with elements of country and rock. Notable songs like "Need Somebody" and "Too Old to Grow Up" demonstrate his raw emotional depth and musical versatility.
Cummings, a self-taught guitarist from Massachusetts, was inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughan and has since made a name for himself with his fiery guitar work and soulful voice. Over the years, he has earned critical acclaim for his albums, which have expanded beyond traditional blues into broader genres. TEN, released on his own label, represents the culmination of his artistic growth and belief in limitless possibilities for his music.
Throughout his career, Cummings has received praise for his powerful guitar technique and expressive performances, drawing comparisons to blues legends like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimi Hendrix. With TEN, he continues to push boundaries, proving that he remains a dynamic force in the music world.
For over 30 years, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have been a defining American band, blending blues, rock, R&B, and other genres into a high-energy musical hybrid. Co-founder and lead vocalist/harmonica player Kim Wilson, continues to lead the band, which has evolved over time. Initially starting as a straight blues band, Wilson notes that the T-Birds now incorporate a wider variety of musical styles. The band is known for its exceptional musicianship and respect for blues legends, with Wilson being praised by Muddy Waters as his favorite harmonica player.
“To be in the T-Birds, you need to understand the different styles of music and different ways of playing,” Wilson comments. “You must be willing to adopt a more contemporary style. The guys we have now are able to do that.”
The band’s journey began in the 1970s, when Wilson moved from Goleta, California, to Austin, Texas, where he met Jimmie Vaughan and formed the T-Birds in 1974. Their first album, The Fabulous Thunderbirds (1979), was a blues classic, but subsequent albums, like Tuff Enuff (1986), brought in more rock and soul influences, with hits like "Tuff Enuff" and "Wrap It Up" reaching the Top 40. Despite lineup changes, including Vaughan's departure in 1989, Wilson has kept the band going, and they continue to tour widely, performing at both blues festivals and rock venues.
The current band lineup includes:
• Kim Wilson (vocals, harmonica)
• Johnny Moeller (guitar)
• Bob Welsh (piano/guitar)
• Rudy Albin (drums)
• Steve Kirsty (bass)
Each member brings rich musical experience from diverse backgrounds, contributing to the band’s dynamic sound.
The bands’ new album, Struck Down, features 9 new songs co-written by Kim Wilson and Steve Strongman, as well as stellar cover of Memphis Minnie’s song “Nothin’ in Ramblin.” The album was produced by Kim Wilson, Steve Strongman and Glen Parrish and features guest musicians: Bonnie Raitt, Bill Gibbons, Mick Fleetwood, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop, Keb’ Mo’ and Terrance Simien.
