The Medicine Men
Fri. 6:15pm President’s Room
About: The back up band for the late “H-Bomb” Ferguson for over 20 years, The Medicine Men continue H-Bomb’s philosophy to “Make People Happy”. Their unique style covers Blues, R&B, Funk and Jazz and is guaranteed to keep your feet tapping.
Web: http://www.themedicinemenband.com/
Bookings: boydjjazz@gmail.com
The Whiskey Shambles
Fri 8:00pm President’s Room
About: The Shambles deliver a loud, belligerent style of demonic hill-stomp blues that almost . . . but not quite . . . betrays an air of subtle sophistication lingering just around the edges. Winner of the 2015 CAMMY for best blues act.
Web: http://whiskeyshambles.com/
Bookings: booking@whiskeyshambles.com
Brad Hatfield Band
Fri. 9:45pm President’s Room
About: Singer, songwriter and harmonica player Brad Hatfield delivers one growling, soulful performance after another. A serious construction accident left Brad paralyzed. After a lengthy rehab, he channeled his creativity to the harmonica, achieving a skill level that is the envy of most lifelong blues harp players.
Web:
Bookings: N/A
Magic Lightnin’ Boys
Fri. 11:30pm President’s Room
About: The Magic Lightnin’ Boys for one thing; they have been able to make their nod to the past sound fresh and modern. The style embraced here hearkens back to the days when music was just a bit more simplistic while injecting it with a modern approach to songwriting on their original material.
Web:
Bookings: magiclightninboys@gmail.com
Ben Levin Duo
Fri. 6:30pm Tea Room
About: A 17-year old piano prodigy who trained with Ricky Nye, Ben brings a masterful touch to the keys and beautiful vocals typical of an old soul. Ben has been making an impact on the Cincy Blues scene over the last few years and can be found playing at various blues bars around town.
Web: N/A
Bookings: levina@nku.edu
Cheryl Renee and Shorty Starr
Fri. 8:00pm Tea Room
About: The “Goddess of the Blues”, Cheryl Renee combines her talent with long time Cincy Blues presence Shorty Starr to create an evocative and stimulating performance in their unique style that only Cheryl & Shorty can do.
Web: http://www.cherylrenee.com/
Bookings: yesirock@cherylrenee.com
Leo Clarke & Larry Bloomfield
Fri. 10:00pm Tea Room
About: Leo Clarke is an experienced, award winning blues man specializing in original music and tasty blues, folk, Americana and rock covers. Larry Bloomfield is master on harmonica and together they deliver the sweet sounds of delta blues. Leo & Larry will represent Cincinnati at the 2017 IBC in the solo/duo category.
Web: http://www.theleoclarkeband.com/
Bookings: http://www.theleoclarkeband.com/contact.html
Ricky Nye Inc. feat. Bekah Williams
Fri 6:30pm Archway Ballroom
About: Ricky Nye is a 14 time winner of CAMMY and “Best of Cincinnati” awards in multiple music categories and also a member of the International Boogie Woogie Hall of Fame. Ricky is joined by Chris Douglass on bass, Paul Ellis on drums, Brian “Boss” Hogg on sax and vocalist extraodinaire Bekah Williams. Together they play piano blues and ballads, New Orleans stylings and traditional boogie woogie.
Web: http://www.rickynye.com/
Bookings: rickynyepiano@gmail.com
The Beaumonts
Fri. 8:00pm Archway Ballroom
About: Their music features the amazing guitar playing of Fred Gillespie, the driving keyboards of Paul Goodwin, the solid bass guitar of Greg Calvert, and the rock solid beat of Steve Barton on drums. Their music is a powerful blend of original and cover blues and blues-rock, delivering strong vocals and an engaging, imaginative sound that makes every performance an event.
Web: https://soundcloud.com/the-beaumonts-sw-ohio/sets
Bookings: https://www.facebook.com/beaumontsohio/
Jay Jesse Johnson Band
Fri. 9:45pm Archway Ballroom
About: In Sept. 2015, Johnson was featured with Robert Cray, Canned Heat and Joe Bonamassa in The Blues Magazine’s cover CD, “The Next Generation Of Blues Superstars”. Jay has shared the stage with guitar greats Johnny Winter, Robin Trower, Walter Trout, Rick Derringer, Pat Travers as well as super groups Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Foghat and Jefferson Starship to name a few. Jay was the winner of the 2016 Cincy Blues Challenge and will represent us at the IBC in 2017.
Web: http://jayjessejohnson.com/
Bookings: http://jayjessejohnson.com/contact-jay/
Dudley Taft
Fri. 11:45pm Archway Ballroom
About: Dudley’ music career started when he founded the band Space Antelope with friend Trey Anastasion (of Phish). In the 90’s, he joined Seattle band Sweet Water, touring America with Moster Magnet, Candle Box and Alice in Chains. In ’06, Dudley started playing the blues and has since released 3 CDs. Dudley lives in Cincinnati, but frequently tours in Europe.
Web: https://www.dudleytaft.com/
Bookings: Jill@missjillpr.com
Sonny Moorman
Fri. 6:00pm Grand Ballroom
About: Cincinnati legend Sonny Moorman is more than just a Blues-Rock artist. His award-winning guitar playing delivers smoking-hot riffs with a hard-rocking precision and feel born deep in the Blues ethos. His world-class playing is both transcendental and firmly grounded in reality, captivating audiences nationwide.
Web: http://www.sonnymoorman.com/
Bookings: cmoormanjr@aol.com
Noah Wotherspoon Band
Fri. 11:45 Grand Ballroom
About: Noah Wotherspoon has been immersed in the blues and mesmerizing audiences with his soulful guitar playing since he was a teenager. The band, including Rob Thaxton on bass and Brian Aylor on drums, formed in 2009. In 2015, Wotherspoon received the Best Guitarist Award at the International Blues Challenge and the band placed 2nd in the finals.
Web: http://www.noahwotherspoon.com/
Bookings: noahwotherspoon@gmail.com
Ralph & the Rhythm Hounds
Sat. 6:45pm President’s Room
About: Performing original and blues based rock covers since 2003, the band features Noah Cave, a 4th generation guitarist (and a former product of the BITS program). Noah has an explosive musical style, deeply rooted in the artistic phrasing of the blues greats. In 2014, they were a CES Best Blues Band Nominee.
Web: https://my.hostmonster.com/hosting/account/cpanel
Booking: rcavefamily@gmail.com
Greg Schaber
Sat. 8:00pm President’s Room
About: Greg focuses on acoustic blues, in styles from deep Delta bottleneck guitar to the lighter, countrified finger picking of the North Carolina Piedmont. Greg was recognized twice as Best Blues Instrumentalist and once as Best Blues/R&B Vocalist (making him the first area musician in any genre to win CAMMYs as both an instrumentalist and vocalist)
Web: http://gregschaber.com/
Booking: http://gregschaber.com/contact/
G. Miles @ The Band of Helping Hands
Sat. 9:45pm President’s Room
About: A high powered band playing a mix of jump blues, R&B, jazzy jams and blue rock.
Web: N/A
Booking: N/A
Lil’ Red and the Rooster
Sat. 11:30pm President’s Room
About: Electric band blues in a serious roots blues format. Touching and refreshing with a bit of humor, bringing back the old blues and rhythm and blues.
Web: http://lilredandtherooster.com/
Booking: N/A
The Heaters
Sat. 6:00pm Tea Room
About: 17-year old piano prodigy plays with father Aron Levin and seasoned blues veterans, creating an intense blend of piano based blues.
Web: N/A
Booking: levina@nku.edu
Gregg Clark and James Higgins
Sat. 7:45pm Tea Room
About: Gregg Clark started playing guitar in the 60’s. He studied with Cal Collins and Joe Pass. In the 70’s he worked as a studio musician in Nashville and toured with the Easy Street Band. More recently he fronted his own blues band – the Royal Blues. Gregg is a two-time winner of the Cincy Blues Challenge and has also won Dayton’s challenge. He is joined by one of the area’s premier bass players, rock-steady James Higgins.
Web: N/A
Booking: 3gclark@sbcglobal.net
Brian Keith Wallen
Sat. 9:30pm Tea Room
About: An amazing combination of storytelling and lighting licks on the guitar. Brian took 2nd place at the 2015 International Blues Competition in Memphis.
Web: http://www.bkwmusic.com/
Booking: http://www.bkwmusic.com/contact
Chris Yakopcic
Sat. 11:45 Tea Room
About: Dayton based guitarist, playing soulful acoustic-based blues. Chis was a finalist in the 2015 International Blues Competition in Memphis.
Web: http://chrisyakopcicmusic.com/
Booking: http://chrisyakopcicmusic.com/contact/
BITS Band
Sat: 5:15pm Archway Ballroom
About: Come hear the Cincy Blues Society’s talented youth band perform for your pleasure, prior to performing at the International Blues Competition Youth Showcase. in Memphis.
Web: https://www.facebook.com/BitsBluesInTheSchools/
Booking: bits@cincyblues.org
Chuck Brisbin and the Tuna Project
Sat. 6:30 Archway Ballroom
About: Formed in 2007, recognized as one of the best blues bands in the area, playing a mix of rock, R&B and Blues they call “Rock-n-Blues”. “… you gotta see this band!”
Web: http://www.thetunaproject.com/
Booking: chuck.brisbin@gmail.com
Johnny Fink and the Intrusion
Sat. 8:00pm Archway Ballroom
About: Covers a wide range of blues, tapping the soul of the music with true conviction and passion. 2015 Cincy Blues Challenge winner, 2016 IBC Semi-finalist and 2016 Dayton Blues Challenge winner and will represent Dayton at the IBC in 2017.
Web: https://www.johnnyfink.com/
Booking: johnnyfinkintrusion@gmail.com
Leroy Ellington Band
Sat. 9:45 Archway Ballroom
About: A dynamic and versatile lead performer, showcased by a brilliant band. Nominated for 5 CAMMY awards.
Web: http://leroyellington.com/
Booking: leroyellington@hotmail.com
Doug Hart Band
Sat. 11:30pm Archway Ballroom
About: Dynamic guitarist and songwriter. Voted Dayton’s best blues band 3 times. 2014 IBC semi-finalist.
Web: http://doughartband.com/
Booking: dhart@doughartband.com
Tempted Souls Band
Sat. 6:45pm Grand Ballroom
About: Tempted Souls Band’s roots are in the blues genre with a set list consisting of Blues, R&B, and an eclectic mix of standards with that blues “feel.”
Web: http://www.temptedsouls.com/
Booking: bambash63@embarqmail.com
