JOHNNY DYER (DECEMBER 7th)
Harmonica / Vocals

Born in Rolling Fork, Mississippi in 1938, Johnny Dyer spent some of his formative years on Stovall’s Plantation following in the footsteps of the great Muddy Waters, and early on absorbed the subtlety of phrasing and easy swinging chops that are the core of all great blues harp players. Dyer relocated to L.A. in the late 1950’s, but it wasn’t until a series of highly regarded recordings in the ‘90s were released, including the Murray Brothers reissue “Jukin’” on Blind Pig Records and two with guitarist Rick “L.A. Holmes” Holmstrom on Black Top Records, that his reputation really began to surface and grow. By the end of 2003, Dyer had earned himself a W.C. Handy Award nomination for “Blues Song Of The Year” for the title track of his effort “Hard Times Won” with guitarist Barry Levenson, and later collaborated with Mark Hummel on a tribute to his musical hero Muddy Waters called “Rolling Fork Revisited” that was released on Mountain Top Productions in 2004.These days Johnny Dyer can often be seen lending his talents to the Los Angeles based super group The Mannish Boys, and is featured on all three of their recordings paying tribute to his two earliest inspirations, the legendary harp icon Little Walter Jacobs and the great Muddy Waters.

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Mannish Boys “That Represent Man”
Mannish Boys “Live & In Demand”
Mannish Boys “Big Plans”
V/A – “Road Tested, Vol. 1”

ROD PIAZZA (DECEMBER 18th)
Harmonica / Vocals

Born in Riverside, CA in 1947, this California native has been actively keeping the blues flame alive now for over 40 years. He began his career as a member of the Dirty Blues Band, releasing two albums for the ABC/Bluesway label back in the late 1960s. Shortly thereafter, he left the band to pursue a new venture with his mentor George “Harmonica” Smith, and issued two recordings under the moniker Bacon Fat. His first solo album “Bluesman” appeared in 1973 and later that decade he formed the Chicago Flying Saucer Band with his wife Honey on keyboards and released an album in 1979. The Mighty Flyers soon followed and recorded a series of several hard to find LP’s in the early ‘80s including “Radioactive Material”, “File Under Rock” and “From Start To Finnish.” Over the years, Piazza has not only consistently proved that he possesses an unbelievable textbook like knowledge on the harmonica, but that he also has a rare eye for talent as the Flyers have been home to some incredibly gifted and highly influential guitarists including Junior Watson, Alex Schultz, Rick Holmstrom and current flyer Henry Carvajal. In 1998, Piazza was awarded a W.C. Handy for “Instrumentalist – Harmonica” and has since won multiple Blues Music Awards for “Band of the Year” in 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2006. In 2005, Rod inked a deal with the Delta Groove Music label and has since released two outstanding recordings that are the representation of a lifetime dedicated to the blues.

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers “For The Chosen Who”
Rod Piazza & MFBQ “ThrillVille”

MITCH KASHMAR (DECEMBER 20th)
Harmonica / Vocals

Born in 1960 in Santa Barbara, CA, Mitch Kashmar began his musical journey on piano, later switching to harmonica, and looked to the early prewar harp players such as Sonny Boy Williamson I for inspiration before delving into the celebrated amplified sounds of artists like Little Walter and George “Harmonica” Smith. Between 1982 and 1999, Kashmar thrived as the leader of three different versions of The Pontiax, recorded the well received “100 Miles To Go” for Blue Sting Records of Belgium, and shared stages with legendary blues figures Lowell Fulson, Pee Wee Crayton, Big Joe Turner, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Roy Gaines and Jimmy Witherspoon among many others. Kashmar also befriended several of the next generation of harp players including Kim Wilson and William Clarke, and appeared on Clarke’s pre-Alligator era CDs “Now That You’re Gone” and “The Early Years” on Watchdog Records. Kashmar eventually established a relationship with Randy Chortkoff, who subsequently invited him to participate in a series of Little Walter tribute concerts in Los Angeles. Sharing an equal admiration for the harmonica and the pioneering heroes of the instrument, it was only natural that Chortkoff signed Kashmar to his newly conceived Delta Groove label in 2005. Kashmar has since released two critically acclaimed CD’s and more recently joined the ranks of the legendary 70s funk band War, also appearing on founding member Lonnie Jordon’s 2007 release “War Stories.”

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Mitch Kashmar “Nickels & Dimes”
Mitch Kashmar “Wake Up & Worry”
Mannish Boys “Big Plans”
V/A – “Road Tested, Vol. 1”

KIRK "ELI" FLETCHER (DECEMBER 23rd)
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 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.

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Kirk Fletcher “Shades Of Blue”
Hollywood Blue Flames “Soul Sanctuary”
Hollywood Blue Flames “Road To Rio”
Mannish Boys “That Represent Man”
Mannish Boys “Big Plans”
Lynwood Slim “Last Call”
Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser “Bluju”
V/A – “Road Tested, Vol. 1”

SHAWN STARSKY (DECEMBER 25th)
Guitar / Vocals

Born in Detroit, MI, and raised in Deerfield Beach, FL, Shawn Starksy began playing the guitar at age 11. His influences span through numerous musical genres from rock, to blues, to jazz and touch upon many of the greats including Duane Allman, Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, Wes Montgomery, Dickie Betts, Derek Trucks, Ronnie Earl and Robben Ford. Overtime Starsky gained recognition for his talents in the South Florida music scene and was eventually hired to fill a vacancy for the guitar spot in Jason Ricci & New Blood in 2003. Starsky was featured on two of Jason Ricci’s previous recordings; “Live At Checkers Tavern” in 2004 on Blue Sunday Records and “Blood on the Road” released in 2006. Starsky plays a critical roll in the overall sound and development of the music of New Blood and shares much of the songwriting credits with Ricci on their latest effort “Rocket Number 9” for Eclecto Groove Records.

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Jason Ricci & New Blood “Rocket Number 9”