Austin-based guitarist, songwriter and singer Chris Duarte is such a promising young upstart in the world of modern blues that he's already being compared with the late Stevie Ray Vaughan. It's heady stuff for the musician, who plays a rhythmic style of Texas blues-rock that is at times reminiscent of Vaughan's sound, and at other times... [+] Read More

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Australian slide guitarist Dave Hole is noted for his energetic, high-volume rock & roll/blues music and unusual playing style. Though left-handed, Hole plays guitar right-handed and developed a technique to compensate for a finger injury in which he places his fingers over the top of the neck. He also uses a pick for a slide and utilizes... [+] Read More

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Debbie Davies has brought a new sensibility to the blues. The former guitarist for Albert Collins & the Icebreakers, Fingers Taylor & the Ladyfinger Revue, and Maggie Mayall & the Cadillacs, an all-female band led by John Mayall's wife, Davies has continued to attract attention as the leader of her own group since 1993. "I believe my reputation... [+] Read More

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The term "blues-rock" brings with it a connotation of a blues artist "selling out" in order to make more money or a rock band blaring heavy riffs with a thinly veiled strain of blues. A worse offense is that many of these rock artists have little or no knowledge of the blues in its historical context or its mythological roots.

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Singer, songwriter, and guitar virtuoso Jimmy Thackery has carved an enviable niche for himself in the world of electric blues. Known for his gritty, blue-collar approach and marathon live shows, Thackery was for many years part of the Nighthawks, one of the hardest-working blues bar bands in North America; since the late '80s, he's been touring... [+] Read More

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Kevin Russell is primarily known as a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, mandolin, and banjo) for eclectic Austin, TX, roots-rockers the Gourds. On his own, Russell (using the moniker Kev Russell's Junker) stepped out with the album Buttermilk and Rifles on Sugar Hill Records in 2002. The effort featured appearances by a bevy of... [+] Read More

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Mike Welch is a Boston-area blues guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter who has released several albums on the Rounder Tone-Cool subsidiary. The fact that he's so good and so young is part of the reason why they called him "Monster." Welch got this name from actor/comedian/Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd, although the moniker was dropped following his... [+] Read More

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East Coast based blues band fronted by singer/harmonica man Ray Norcia and featuring guitar work over the years by Ronnie Earl (Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl & the Broadcasters) and Kid Bangham (The Fabulous Thunderbirds). Blues sensation Monster Mike Welch added his name to the list in 2003 with the release of The Bluetones fifth studio album.... [+] Read More

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British blues-rock group the Hoax consisted of Jon Amor on guitar, Hugh Coltman on vocals and harmonica, Jess Davey on guitar, Robin Davey on bass, and Dave Raeburn on drums. The members were all young students of the blues and had played together since they were in their teens; songwriting and arrangements were worked out together by all five... [+] Read More

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According to all the press and hype and hoopla, Tommy Castro is pegged as the next big star of the blues. Long a favorite among Bay Area music fans, Castro -- in the space of two album releases -- has taken his music around the world and back again with a sheaf of praise from critics and old-time blues musicians alike. His music is a combination... [+] Read More

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