FINIS TASBY - Vocals
Born in the rural town of Levon on the outskirts of Dallas, Finis Tasby first encountered the blues when his family moved to Garland, Texas.  As a young child, he was inspired to take up the harmonica by local bluesman L.B. Bailey.  Finis later started playing drums and began hanging out in West Dallas night spots like the Empire, the Zanzibar, and Clark’s where he befriended local sensations Frankie Lee Sims and singing drummer Mercy Baby.  In the late ‘50s, Finis moved to Fort Worth and played drums with his first band, the Blues Blasters. He eventually returned to Dallas switching to bass and formed the Thunderbirds, a band whose name later inspired another famous group featuring a young guitarist by the name of Jimmie Vaughan.  Throughout the ‘60s, the Thunderbirds backed up blues heavy weights, Freddie King, Lowell Fulson, Clarence Carter, Jimmy McCracklin and Z.Z. Hill on regional tours through Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Kansas before ultimately disbanding by the end of the decade.  After the band split up, Finis gave up playing and worked exclusively as a driver for Freddie King.  In 1973, Finis relocated to Los Angeles and found work as an auto mechanic taking gigs whenever they became available, even playing bass behind John Lee Hooker for a short time.  Finis recorded sporadically over the years releasing several 45’s including 1978’s classic “Get Drunk and Be Somebody” and his first LP “Blues Mechanic.”  In 1997, Randy Chortkoff produced the fantastic CD “Jump Children!” on Evidence Records which featured Finis backed by a host of incredible talent that included Rick Holmstrom, Kid Ramos, Coco Montoya, Lester Butler, Larry Taylor and Richard Innes, a trend that continues to this day in both Chortkoff’s and Tasby’s involvement in the all-star super group, The Mannish Boys. 

BOBBY JONES - Vocals
Born in Farmerville, LA, Bobby Jones was initially raised on the Country music stylings of artists such as Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb, Roy Acuff and Little Jimmy Dickens.  At the age of 16, Jones forged his own documents in order to pass himself off as a 20 year old, so he could join the army in an attempt to get away from home.  Jones caught his first taste of the blues on WLAC, a radio station in Nashville, TN, that featured late night blues programming and would spin music by Buddy Ace, Ivory Joe Hunter, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Junior Parker and B.B. King, but it wasn’t until after relocating to Chicago, IL, in 1959 that his real blues education truly began.  Upon his arrival, Jones quickly immersed himself in the thriving blues scene amongst legendary artists Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Hound Dog Taylor, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells and Fenton Robinson, and soon found himself performing at the many popular establishments of the day including Pepper’s Lounge, Teresa’s and the Trocadara, all located on the South Side of Chicago.  Jones was backed by many of the blues elite including Jody Williams, Lonnie Brooks and Syl Johnson, and even replaced Junior Wells in The Aces when Wells gave up his spot after landing a big hit with “Messin’ With The Kid.”  Jones issued his first single “Sugar Baby” backed with “Lonely Bedroom,” and later enjoyed relative success in the charts with “I Am So Lonely” peaking at #3 in Chicago, and also held the #1 spot for 6 weeks in Florida.  The flip side of the single featured “Talkin’ ‘Bout Jones” recorded with Syl Johnson, who also instructed Jones on how to approach his vocals for the song. In 1999, Ace Records issued two recordings; “In the Mood For Love” and “Sneakin’ & Freakin’,” both distributed by Malaco Records in Mississippi.  Jones’ career had remained relatively quiet until 2006 when he was brought to the attention of Delta Groove CEO Randy Chortkoff, and invited to join in for the recording session of the Mannish Boys release “Big Plans.” Jones will appear on two new Delta Groove projects in 2008 including an all new Mannish Boys release, in addition to his very own solo record debut. 

RANDY CHORTKOFF - Harmonica / Vocals / MC
Randy Chortkoff’s passion for music was instilled in him at an early age.  His father, who was a dedicated jazz fan, used to invite Louis Armstrong and members of his band into his home for dinner which often resulted in spontaneous and informal jam sessions. Randy’s exposure to live blues came later in the ‘60s, as he frequented the now historic Ash Grove in Los Angeles, in addition to Bill Graham’s Fillmore Auditorium and Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco where he witnessed performances by Muddy Waters, Albert King, Freddy King and Jimmy Reed.  By the early ‘80s, Randy had formed his own band and over the years began building relationships amongst the local music scene that included close friendships with Rod Piazza, Lester Butler, Debbie Davies and Alex Schultz.  His first project as an independent record producer was Billy Boy Arnold’s highly acclaimed comeback release “Back Where I Belong,” which helped signal the path that would eventually lead him to the formation of Delta Groove Productions.  With the formation of Delta Groove came the formation of the supergroup, The Mannish Boys, featuring the best of the best.  These days Randy divides his time between performing with The Mannish Boys, running both the Eclecto and Delta Groove labels, as well as applying his considerable talents to financing and production for feature films where he ultimately hopes to combine his passion for blues with film to reach a much larger audience.

FRANK “PARIS SLIM” GOLDWASSER - Guitar / Vocals
Born in Paris, France, Frank Goldwasser’s initial blues inspiration came from Hound Dog Taylor’s “Natural Boogie” LP.  Upon relocating to the Bay area in his early twenties at the invitation of Sonny Rhodes, Goldwasser became deeply immersed in the area’s still vibrant blues scene. He racked up three years touring with Jimmy McCracklin, as well as positive reviews for appearances at most of the prominent local venues with a distinguished roster of blues talent including Lowell Fulson, Percy Mayfield and Charlie Musselwhite. Four years after his first single was issued in 1984 on San Francisco’s Backtrack label, his debut CD “Blues For Esther” appeared, and received a nomination by the prestigious W.C. Handy Awards.  It’s follow-up, “Bleedin’ Heart” was co-produced with Joe Louis Walker, who guested along with Sonny Rhodes. Goldwasser moved down to Southern California in ‘98 where he eventually crossed paths with Randy Chortkoff.  In 2001, Goldwasser headed into the studio to record “Bluju,” one of the first official projects under the guidance of Randy Chortkoff for Delta Groove Productions, and it was later licensed and issued on Crosscut Records in Germany.  These days Goldwasser resides in Portland, OR, where he performs locally and he’s also a featured member of The Mannish Boys, appearing on all four recordings available on Delta Groove Music and tours regularly with the band.

KIRK "ELI" FLETCHER - Guitar
Born in Compton, CA, Kirk Fletcher’s early exposure to music came by way of playing guitar in Wilmington Street’s Macedonian Church of Christ, where his father was a residing Baptist minister. Fletcher’s introduction to the blues came as a teenager, through his older brother Walter, and his copy of B.B. King’s “Live at the Regal.” By his early twenties, Fletcher had found the guidance of Al Blake, who turned him on to dozens of obscure blues recordings, and also introduced him to West Coast guitar wizard Junior Watson. Fletcher soon found himself performing around town with the likes of Janiva Magness and Lynwood Slim, eventually landing a spot in Kim Wilson’s Blues Revue. He later was recruited for veteran harp man Charlie Musslewhite’s band, and in 1999 released his debut “I’m Here & I’m Gone” on England’s JSP label featuring the support of notable guests Jackie Payne, John Marx and Alex Schultz. Since recording the album, “Shades of Blues,” under the production of Randy Chrotkoff and signing on to Delta Groove, Fletcher has been dividing his time between touring and recording with both the Hollywood Blue Flames and the Fabulous Thunderbirds, as well as performing solo dates with his own band at his regular stomping grounds, The Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, CA.  He is now a regular in The Mannish Boys lineup.

WILLIE J. CAMPBELL - Bass
I was born in Detroit Juneteenth 1957.  I owe my talent to my parents.  My mom Evelyn stayed home with my brother and me and practiced her love for acrylics and watercolors.  My dad loved music his whole life. He sung in school, and use to skip school to see Frank Sinatra.  We moved to Southern California in 1960.  I played guitar for a few months around the age of ten.  I couldn't play a chord with my "little smokie" sausage fingers, so I gave up.  We moved to Huntington Beach California in 1970.  Shortly after, David Lee Bartel moved in across the street (he and brother Johny Ray Bartel were later part of the Red Devils featuring Lester Butler and Bill Bateman from the Blasters). Dave, my brother Scott (who played with the original Red Devils and The Paladins) and I formed our first band, "Southern Select".  We played every house party we could find, including gigging for the Hessians, who were a prominent motorcycle club in Southern California.

I met James Harman while I was in High School. He gave me an education I will never forget and I am indebted to him as a mentor. Besides the all night record parties, James took me to the blues clubs to meet and hang out with all the prominent West Coast artists. I remember James and me going to South Central L.A. to see Bobby Bland. I was under age and we were the only two white folks in the joint. The ladies were dressed to the "nines" and doing the Hucklebuck for Bobby. Ask me sometime to tell you about the "Dirt Boogie" contest at the old Sundance Saloon in Long Beach.

I started gigging with James and the James Harman Band became popular with many punk and rock acts around Los Angeles.   I think they liked our reckless abandon. We were much like them in that we weren't mainstream. In my ten years with the James Harman Band we recorded some music and wrote some songs. A few songs made it to the big screen."Kiss of Fire" was the track playing during the rape scene in "The Accused" starring Jodie Foster. "Jump My Baby" was in an Al Pacino movie. "I've Got So Many Women" was selected for the Chuck Norris classic (lol) "Invasion USA."

I married my beautiful wife Lisa in 1988 and left music for a while moving to Marshall Missouri. We have two wonderful daughters, Symone and Siara. I put myself through school and earned a Masters Degree in Sociology. In 1995 my brother from another mother Kid Ramos was touring with The Fabulous Thunderbirds. Kid mentioned to Kim Wilson that I was available. Kim called and I was with the T-Birds from 1995-2001. What a ride and what a pleasure!

2002 brought more school and another Masters Degree. This time in Social Work (hey we all got side gigs. Pops Foster drove a shit wagon and I mess with people's minds!). I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a private practice in Marshall.

In 2009 Kid Ramos again paved the way by passing my name on to Randy Chortkoff. Randy was gracious to ask me to be a part of the Delta Groove Family. We just finished a record with the Mannish Boys and I'm looking forward to this exciting opportunity.

JIMI BOTT – Drums
While still in high school Jimi started his professional career at the tender age of 17 with well-known Bay Area blues men, Paul Durkett and Byrd Hale. At 19 he joined Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors, starting what would be the beginning of a perpetual life on the road. On his 21st birthday he auditioned for and won the gig of his dreams with Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, the very same band that had inspired him to become a professional drummer. After a total of 8 years with The Fabulous Thunderbirds Jimi has left the band to take a break from touring, and to work in his Portland based studio, Roseleaf Studios. Currently he is playing with his new band, Woodbrain, in Portland and in the Pacific Northwest. His discography boasts impressive credits to over 60 CD's and countless live performances with other blues greats.

Jimi was privileged to be schooled by two of the best drum instructors in the country. From 1980 to 1983 he studied with the Bay Area great, Forrest Elledge. Later, while living in Los Angeles, he was one of the famous Murray Spivack's last (and according to Murray, one of his best) students ever, an incredible compliment considering Murray's list of students includes world-famous drummers such as Joe Morello (Dave Brubeck), David Garibaldi (Tower of Power), Louie Bellson and Chuck Silverman. Hand technician geniuses, both Forrest and Murray befriended Jimi and passed on their vast knowledge of stick control, musicality, and sense of rhythm. Forrest and Murray's influence flows through every performance of Jimi's.

Although Jimi's first love is blues, as a drummer he excels in many other genres. Check out his now-defunct band, Mad Hattie (Soul Fishin'), and hear him play different styles that bridge jazz, country, punk and electric bluegrass (click here for more information and to buy a CD). Jimi is also one hell of a rock drummer and he has played with several mainstream players including rock guitar hero, Marc Ford (The Black Crowes & Ben Harper). While on hiatus from The Fabulous Thunderbirds in 1998 to 2000, Marc and Jimi, along with Luther Russell and Fred Trujillo, formed the crushing rock band Federale. A blend of The Band meets Neil Young, Federale never made a commercially released CD. They became a cult Internet sensation and toured the country with other underground greats Government Mule and The Mother Hips. Only a handful of demos and live recordings remain. Jimi is currently working on gathering these together as another possible archival project.

A current resident of Portland, OR, Jimi is a regular on the music scene there. He can be seen playing with many of the city's great musicians. Among his favorites are: Jim Wallace, Marco Savo, Curtis Salgado, and Lloyd Jones.