2014 Old Capitol Blues & BBQ Music Line-Up Downtown Springfield, IL Stage located at 5 th & Adams Streets Friday, August 22 5:30 p.m. Kicked to the Curb Kicked to the Curb began in 2004, when Jon Clausing and Jeff Boston formed a band to express their shared mutual interest in and love for the Blues. After creating their self-titled cd, the band has stayed true to its original purpose to keep the heart and soul of the Blues at the front and center of each and every performance. Kicked to the Curb consists of founder and band leader Jon "Southside Jonny" Clausing on vocals, guitar, dobro, harp, and fiddle. Jon has a degree in music from Parkland College, and a deep interest in all forms of the Blues. Co-founder Jeff Boston began playing bass in 1967. Clint Brockmeyer on guitar and mandolin started out in Rock, and since developed a strong bent towards Blues and Reggae. Drummer Jarrod Lebeck has a degree in music from Milliken University and is an accomplished percussionist in all forms of music from Classical to Jazz, Rock, and Blues. 7:00 p.m. Josh Hoyer & Shadow Boxers JOSH HOYER and The Shadowboxers is a project formed in late 2012 in famed blues town Lincoln, Nebraska. For the last 15 years, Hoyer has been very in demand as a performer in his previous bands, as a solo artist behind the piano and as a session musician and arranger. Spending much of his time booking and promoting in Lincoln at the legendary Zoo Bar and beyond, Hoyer is an influential part of the funk, soul and blues youth movement. His current 9-piece Soul band includes some of the areas most revered and accomplished musicians, many of whom have toured nationally and internationally, teach music and are asked to back up bands live and in the studio. The band s sound and passion come from their deep respect, knowledge of and passion for blues, Americana, soul, funk, and many other styles of music. 2013 was a highly successful first year for the band in which they played dozens of festivals, cultivated a large following in a 3-state area, represented NE in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis and were named 2013 s Best Soul/R&B at the Omaha Entertainment Awards. In January 2014, they released their self-titled debut album to a raucous crowd of 700 at the Bourbon Theatre. Borrowing from Stax, Motown, New Orleans, Philly and San Francisco, the album blends the classic sounds of Soul and R&B, yet has a vibe and sound that is fresh and unique. Each of the 8 songs has a great groove, exceptional lyrical, vocal and instrumental performance, artful arrangement and challenges to be stacked up to many of the best songs in any Soul catalog.
8:30 p.m. Harper and MidWest Kind An amalgamation of blues, rock, soul and world music, multi award winning Australian singer/songwriter "Peter D. Harper" creates a heady mix of roots music through his creative use of the harmonica, and the haunting drone of the didgeridoo. Harper is backed by his incredible Michigan based band "Midwest Kind. Band members include: Peter D. Harper, Mike Howe, James Norris, Greg Sauceda Awards and Recognition: Detroit Music Award "Outstanding Vocalist" (2014), Best Instrumentalist "Big City Blues Magazine" USA (2013), Best Live CD "Blues 411", New York. (2012), Inducted into the Blues Museum Hall of Fame, Canada South Blues Society, Windsor Canada. (2011) The Bronte Blues Awards, United Kingdom "Best Instrumentalist" (2009), Acoustic Artist of the Year TREV, Australia (2005), Male Vocalist of the Year - "Australian Blues Awards" (2004), Song of the Year "Australian Blues Awards" (2004), Album of the Year, Nasty Harp, Sweet Harp Awards- "Guide to Best of the Blues Harmonicas and Beyond" USA. Way Down Deep Inside" CD.(2003), Raw Talent Awards Number 1 Song "Never Change the Way She Feels", Australia (2001); Duke Award Yamaha Rock, Gold Record "Sailing Australia" America's Cup Theme 10:00 p.m. Victor Wainright & The Wild Roots - HEADLINER Though his career began over a decade ago with genuine rock n roll honkytonk, Wainwright has broadened his artistic scope over the years to include music representing virtually every corner of the blues. His insatiable interest in music discovery, sheer love for entertaining and curiosity have led him all around the world, and the resulting perspective is a reflection of his passion for entertaining and creating progressive roots music in an effort to move the art-form forward. Composer, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Victor Wainwright is a raucous high-octane, dynamic performer and crowd pleaser with soul to spare. Victor Wainwright, two year winner of the Pine Top Perkins Piano Player Award at the BMA s, is a force to be reckoned with on a piano. He IS honkytonk and boogie, with a dose of rolling thunder. Wainwright s playing is simply beautiful madness. -American Blues Scene 2013 Savannah, GA native Victor Wainwright is all about boogie-woogie piano, deep soul, and a voice that recalls Dr. John at his best. He is a rising blues star, a tremendous player. -Chicago Blues Guide 2013 Newcomers including Southern Hospitality are putting out albums that are exciting, relevant and visceral. Given the amount of fluff flooding the market today, these acts offer us hope for the future. Wainwright makes himself a tormented presence, his blues as hot as the fire stoked by the band. Damon Fowler, Victor Wainwright, and JP Soars may be relative babes in the woods and swamps, but on the strength of their collaborative Southern Hospitality, the term super-group can t simply be shrugged off. Altogether, the roughneck laid back ways of this fine debut are reminiscent of the best days of Southern rock. -Hitting the Note Magazine 2013 Wainwright serves as an electrifying guide to a good time-spinning tales, telling his listeners how to beat the blues, and meticulously conjuring raw soul and energy out of his acoustic piano. He displays a sharp sense of humor and a knack for storytelling... Every track is brilliant. -Living Blues Magazine AWARDS - 2014 BMA Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award WINNER; 2013 BMA Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Award WINNER; 2013 Blues Blast Music Award New Artist Debut Release Southern Livin WINNER;
300+ Days a Year Touring 2012-2013; Top 10 Billboard May 2013 Easy Livin ; Top 10 Billboard Debut March 2013 Easy Livin ; 2013 Blues Blast Music Award Sean Costello Rising Star Nominee; 2013 Blues Blast Music Award Blues Band of the Year Southern Hospitality Nominee; 2012 & 2013 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise Performer (Solo & Band); 2012 BMA Pinetop Perkins Piano Player of the Year Nominee; 2012 Blues Blast Music Award Sean Costello Rising Star Nominee; RMR Roots Music Report - #1 Southern Livin in Southern Soul 2013; Living Blues Radio Chart - #8 Southern Livin 2013; Living Blues Radio Chart - #13 Lit Up! 2011; RMR - Root Music Report - #7 Top 50 Blues 2010 and #2 Internet Radio Airplay Saturday, August 23 Noon to 5:00 p.m. Illinois Central Blues Challenge 5:30 p.m. Hard Road Blues Band High Energy, Rockin Blues Springfield area band with over 230 years of combined experience. We boast that we re the most fun you can have with your clothes on! Band members include: Bruce Baise Guitar & Vocals, Dave Marr Guitar & Vocals, Bad Bill Robinson Harmonicas & Limericks, Steve saxon Jackson All Saxes, Flute & Clarinet, Craig Wood Bass & Vocals, Mark Doc Janis - Drums 7:00 p.m. Mary Jo Curry & Tombstone Bullet Mary Jo Curry is the total package blues performer; not only delivering the tunes vocally with her dynamic, pure and authentic singing voice, but she can also entertain and captivate the audience with her great stage presence, humor, and personality. Tombstone Bullet is made up of a rock solid rhythm section with passionate blues soloists that deliver a real deal, completely blues experience. Festival crowds will enjoy this high energy blues band and will be on their feet dancing to the performance. Founded in 2008, Tombstone Bullet made a mark during the 2012 International Blues Challenge being recognized as one of twelve bands out of an international field of hundreds to move forward to the 2012 Beale Street Blues King competition in Memphis. The band was the 2011 Illinois Central Blues Club's Blues Challenge Champs beating out a field of top tier blues performers. The band also made it to semi-finals in the 2010 International Blues Challenge competition. Mary Jo Curry and Tombstone Bullet play real blues, consistently delivering a variety of true blues styles and they perform each tune with energy and passion with the goal of having a great time giving everyone the blues.
8:30 p.m. The Blue Suns The Blue Suns are a collection of central Illinois premiere musicians performing Blues and grooves with Luke Turasky on lead Guitar, Dion Doss on Drums, Ian Grindstaff on Bass, Ezra Casey on Keyboards, Shayla Logan on saxophone, and lead singer Michael Burnett. Eclectic mix of musicians makes for a very unique music experience, always coming home to the blues. 10:00 p.m. The Lee Boys & Sacred Steel - HEADLINER 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. This music form was totally unknown to the world outside the church until the mid-1990 s, when folklorist Robert Stone attended House of God services and recorded the music, as well as its history, contributing the name sacred steel. A series of compilations featuring artists such as Aubrey Ghent, Calvin Cooke and the Campbell Brothers, as well as the late Glenn Lee followed on legendary roots label Arhoolie Records, for whom The Lee Boys also record. When The Lee Boys bring their joyous spiritual sound to the stage, audiences instantly recognize that this is not sitting and listening music: dancing, shouting out, and having fun are considered essential parts of their tradition. Founder and
bandleader Alvin Lee explains The inspiration and feeling that comes along with our music is the reason that people feel good. It is like the new music on the block and it s just getting ready to explode! It s mostly original material, with a few standards and hymns the group blueses up a little. Audiences often dance, shout out, and always have a great time. In 2008-09 alone they performed for more than 250,000 music fans at festivals throughout the United States. In the process, their unique sound has attracted musical artists such as Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Los Lobos, Michelle Shocked, Gov t Mule, Derek Trucks Band w/ Susan Tedeschi, The North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue, Umphrey s McGee, Ivan Neville s Dumpstaphunk, Oteil & Kofi Burbridge, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Toubab Krewe, Victor Wooten, The Del McCoury Band and The Travelin McCourys- all of whom have played with the Lee Boys and/or invited them to tour with them. These engaging artists work well in a variety of venues ranging from intimate club settings to performing arts centers to large festival stages. Their music attracts audiences from the jam band, folk, blues and Gospel worlds. They ve performed throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and will continue influencing audiences worldwide with their sacred steel. Their tour calendar includes over 100 major festival performances, including headline stops at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Memphis in May, Bonnaroo, High Sierra, Austin City Limits, Philadelphia Folk Festivals, Merle Fest, Del Fest, Wanee and All Good Festival.