Delta Groove Newsletter

Retail: ~~$17.99~~
Street Date_02/19/08
NEW DISCOUNTED PRICE: $12.99 + s&h

SEAN COSTELLO - We Can Get Together (STREET DATE: FEBRUARY 19TH, 2008)

“’We Can Get Together’ might be the best music Sean Costello has laid down! Great!”
- Robert Lynn (KSPQ)

A primarily self-taught guitarist, Sean Costello won the Beale Street Blues Society’s new talent award when he was only 14 years old. Costello’s impressive debut “Call The Cops” arrived in ’96 at the tender age of 16, quickly establishing his reputation in the blues community while most other kids were out earning their driver’s licenses. In 1998, Costello contributed his tasteful lead guitar work on Susan Tedeschi’s gold-certified debut smash “Just Won’t Burn” and was also a featured member of her touring band.

In 2000, Costello released his long awaited follow up album “Cuttin’ In,” earning himself a nomination for Best New Artist Debut by the Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN. Costello has since released two additional highly praised recordings and shared the stages with many of his inspirational heroes including B.B. King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton, Pinetop Perkins and Bo Diddley. A cover story appeared in the February/March 2002 issue of Blues Revue Magazine and more recently, Costello’s talents were enlisted for the comeback recording “Long Time Coming” by ‘50s rhythm & blues pioneer, Nappy Brown.

Widely recognized as a gifted and accomplished guitarist, Sean Costello now delivers his strongest and most mature effort of his career. On his Delta Groove debut, Costello further refines his approach by balancing his blistering guitar work, along with soulful, confident vocals and expertly crafted songs. As the world continues to experience the loss of so many originators of the art form, you can rest assured that the future of the blues is in capable hands.

BOOKING INFO:

Piedmont Talent, Inc.
PO Box 680006
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: 704.399.2210
Fax: 704.399.2261
info@piedmonttalent.com
www.piedmonttalent.com

LET'S GET TOGETHER:

Join Sean Costello on Tuesday, February 26th at the world famous Viper Room in Hollywood, CA as he celebrates his Delta Groove debut “We Can Get Together.” Sean will appear between 7pm - 9pm and you can expect him to deliver the goods as he runs down songs from his latest release at this exclusive engagement in one of Los Angeles’ premier night clubs. Since opening in 1993, the Viper Room has been host to an impressive array of internationally recognized talent including Johnny Cash, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, Iggy Pop and Sheryl Crow. For more information please visit http://www.viperroom.com

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FLYER!

BOOKING INFO:
The Rosebud Agency
P.O. Box 170429
San Francisco, CA. 94117
PH: 415-386-3456
FX: 415-386-0599
www.rosebudus.com

LEGENDARY RHYTHM & BLUES REVUE -"COMMAND PERFORMANCE" (MARCH 18TH, 2008)
"COMMAND PERFORMANCE" - def: "A steller performance at the request of the people."

For years, the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise has set the standard as the world’s only fully charted blues cruise which sets sail annually to such exotic locals as the Eastern Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera. In addition to the virtual blues festival at sea, the nightly Pro Jams have become a staple and much talked about experience for would be sea goers. Out of this nightly ritual was born the inspired beginnings of what is now referred to as the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue. This dynamic collaboration of talent features the Tommy Castro Band along with an all-star lineup that includes Deanna Bogart, Ronnie Baker Brooks and Magic Dick, along with special guests Marcia Ball, Curtis Salgado and Elvin Bishop. These live recordings spotlight many of the highlights of their recent performances and should be a must have souvenir for fans and blues cruisers alike.

Tommy Castro has also been nominated for two awards this year including B.B. King Blues Entertainer of the Year and Contemporary Blues Album of the Year for his most recent solo release, “Painkiller.” Don’t forget to sign up for your membership with The Blues Foundation and vote before the deadline at midnight February 29th!

You can do your part to support the blues genre by becoming a member of the Blues Foundation at www.blues.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION GO TO:

TOMMY CASTRO: http://www.tommycastro.com/
DEANNA BOGART: http://www.deannabogart.com/
MAGIC DICK: http://www.magicdick.com/
RONNIE BAKER BROOKS: http://www.ronniebakerbrooks.com/

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DELTA ARTISTS!!!
Delta Groove Music would like you to help us congratulate all of our artists and albums nominated for the 2008 Blues Music Awards. Blues music is such an important form of American music history and it desperately needs your support to keep the essence of it alive in a world where society doesn't seem to readily acknowledge the past, but puts the focus on the future of what’s to come and more, more, more of it. You can do your part to support the roots of all American music and the future of the blues by becoming a member of the Blues Foundation at www.blues.org. Joining the Blues Foundation will not only give you access to discounts, info on the BMAs, up to date news on the blues world, updates on tributes to legendary musicians, press releases on emerging blues artists, exclusive access to the International Blues Challenge, but it will also make you eligible to vote for your favorite Delta Groove artists and albums for the upcoming Blues Music Awards to be held in Tunica, Mississippi this May. But act now because the votes must be in by February 29th!

2008 BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEES:
BAND OF THE YEAR
The Mannish Boys
TRADITIONAL MALE BLUES ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Phillip Walker
SOUL BLUES MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Jackie Payne / Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band
BEST NEW ARTIST DEBUT
The Insomniacs “Left Coast Blues”
INSTRUMENTALIST – BASS
Larry Taylor / Hollywood Blue Flames
INSTRUMENTALIST – DRUMS
Richard Innes / Mannish Boys, Hollywood Blue Flames
INSTRUMENTALIST – GUITAR
Kid Ramos / Mannish Boys
PINETOP PERKINS PIANO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Honey Piazza / Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet

CLICK HERE TO CAST YOUR VOTE!

Delta Groove Music and Eclecto Groove Records are bringing a new generation of great blues artists to the crossroads where the blues was born! The 3rd Annual Delta Groove Blues Revue will take place the night after the 2008 Blues Music Awards in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

On Friday May 9th, at Clarksdale, Mississippi's Ground Zero, the historic and intimate blues club, owned by Morgan Freeman and Bill Luckett, Delta Groove is bringing you authentic blues from 2pm to 2am. The show, which will be hosted by Bill Wax (XM Radio) and a very special surprise celebrity, will be filmed and recorded for an upcoming TV special documenting the power of the blues from its birth in the nearby fields to the current generations making it thrive in the 21st century. For the lucky audience in this 270-person club, this will be blues heaven on earth and the rest of the world will be able to share in the magic later.

For the last two years, The Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue has been a smashing sensation! We are still receiving feedback as to the magnitude of the effect the shows had on those present. You really don’t want to miss out on your chance to experience the day long festival showcasing some of the best blues musicians on the scene today!

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM LAST YEARS EVENT - 2007!

CLICK TO VIEW PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST YEARS EVENT - 2006!

The lineup for the 3rd Annual Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue features:

The Mannish Boys
(Nominee for Band of the Year)
Featuring:
Kid Ramos (Nominee for Best Blues Guitarist)
Richard Innes (Nominee for Best Blues Drummer)
Finis Tasby • Frank “Paris Slim” Goldwasser
Kirk Eli Fletcher • Tom Leavey • Randy Chortkoff
and newest member of the band Bobby Jones.

ALSO FEATURING:

ALSO FROM THE BLUE WITCH LABEL:

AND SPECIAL GUESTS:

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR!

EVENT INFORMATION:

Ground Zero Blues Club
0 Blues Alley
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 621-9009
www.groundzerobluesclub.com

(Click on logos to vist our friends websites!)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!

BIGGER PLANS:

Last month Delta Groove Music completed work on two amazing projects scheduled for release later this year by The Mannish Boys and Bobby Jones. A total of thirty songs were captured on the magic of analog tape in just five days at SlideAway Music Studios, tucked away in the rolling hillside of Shadow Hills, CA. The sessions were produced by Randy Chortkoff and Jeff Scott Fleenor and engineered by acclaimed producer and engineer David Z. with additional engineering assistance by Chuck Kavooras. Mannish Boys’ alumni Finis Tasby, Johnny Dyer, Kid Ramos, Frank Goldwasser, Randy Chortkoff, Tom Leavey and Richard Innes made up the core of the band along with newest member and vocalist Bobby Jones. Also making return appearances from earlier Mannish Boys efforts were guitarist Kirk “Eli” Fletcher and bassist Ronnie James Weber with additional guests rounding out the sessions including Little Sammy Davis, Fred Scribner, Phillip Walker, Junior Watson, Al Blake, Lynwood Slim and Fred Kaplan. Everyone involved rose to occasion of tackling obscure and challenging material by Ike Turner, B.B. King, Freddy King, Albert King, Pete Mayes, Shakey Jake, George “Harmonica” Smith, Howlin’ Wolf, Muddy Waters, Elmore James, Big Walter Horton, Junior Parker, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks and Louis Jordan, easily making this the best recording effort yet. Look for brand new recordings by The Mannish Boys and Bobby Jones this Spring/Summer on Delta Groove Music!

ARE YOU AMONG THE CHOSEN WHO??

For a very limited time you could be included in that select group of people for a mere $10.99. Act now and you could get your very own copy of Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers’ release, “For the Chosen Who.” This 12 track disc is ripe with special guests including Finis Tasby, Kid Ramos, Phil Guy, James Gadson, Johnny Dyer, Randy Chortkoff and many others. It comes complete with a FREE DVD documenting the recording session and the making of blues history. Label exec, Randy Chortkoff, called in a special favor and employed his Hollywood film production crew to make this project a professional jewel that will forever be documented in the blues vault of musical history! This obscure documentary is available to be a part of your blues collection for a limited time at a meager $10.99!! Don’t miss out on this exclusive opportunity before it goes out of print!

Click to view the trailer of the documentary, "For the Chosen Who."

Click to purchase a copy of "For the Chosen Who."

Retail: ~~$20.99~~
PROMOTIONAL DISCOUNTED PRICE: $10.99 + s&h

With over two decades experience as a music critic, Brad Kava has interviewed and covered events with some of the biggest names in the music industry including Eddie Vedder, Keith Richards, Paul McCartney, Wyclef Jean and U2’s The Edge. Now’s your chance to go behind the scenes with Brad as he takes an intimate look at the music and artists that are the embodiment of Delta & Eclecto Groove Records.

EXCERPTS FROM THE ARTICLE:
I ask every blues artist and fan I interview the same questions: What got you into the music? Why this music instead of rock, pop, or American Idol schlock?

We all had that magic moment, something we heard that made the blues jump out at us like an epiphany and kept us listening or playing the music more than any other.

For me--like many in my generation --I got to the blues through rock, specifically, the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. I would read interviews where these Brits would talk with such reverence about their inspirations, the Chicago blues greats. I wanted to tap into some of that. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST!

(David Z., Randy Chortkoff, & Jeff Scott Fleenor)

Delta Groove Music wishes to express our massive appreciation for fellow employee, Jeff Scott Fleenor. In addition to all the hard work he puts in on a regular basis working retail at the office, Jeff put in extra time in the studio the last two weeks while co-producing The Mannish Boys and Bobby Jones albums with label executive Randy Chortkoff. Jeff performed many tasks regarding these projects in the weeks leading up to the recordings, from song selection to budget planning, musician arrangement to studio rental. Jeff was the driving force behind these projects and without him we couldn’t have accomplished the sessions so smoothly. Jeff put in so much hard work that even the musicians made it a point to let us know how professionally organized and painless he had made the experience. Jeff was at the studio until midnight or after every night before making the hour long drive to his house, and all the while battling the flu! Jeff, we’re glad you made it out alive! Jeff is also currently the host of "The Blues Disease" which has been airing on KUCI 88.9 FM since the summer of '96. You can catch his blues show online every Monday from 10am to 1pm at www.kuci.org by clicking on the ‘Listen Now’ icon in the top right corner of the “Main Page”. In addition, Jeff has also had involvement as a talent consultant/producer for several local blues festivals including "Blues On The Bay" in Newport Beach and the "Doheny Blues Festival" in Dana Point. We applaud you for all your hard work Jeffrey Scott Fleenor and are tremendously grateful to have you here at the label. Thanks for helping to keep the blues alive!

Delta Groove Music would also like to thank…

David Z. for his hard work engineering and mixing The Mannish Boys and Bobby Jones projects.

Karen Leipziger for her spectacular job publicizing The Legendary Rhythm & Blues Revue Tour,
Jason Ricci & New Blood,
and Ana Popovic. .

Robert Jr. Whitall & Shirley Mae Owens w/ Big City Rhythm & Blues for featuring The Mannish Boys on the cover of the Dec./Jan. issue.

For more information go to: http://www.bigcitybluesmag.com/

Roger Naber with The Legendary Rhythm
and Blues Cruise for orchestrating such a
Command Performance.

For more information go to: http://www.bluescruise.com/

Steve Roberts with Café Boogaloo in Hermosa Beach, CA for supporting our acts and keeping the blues thriving for so long!

For more information go to: http://www.boogaloo.com/

Sir Hodge with Oracles Music for having great
taste in music and spreading the word.

For more information go to: http://www.oraclesmusic.com/

…and for their tremendous support of the label.

FINIS TASBY (FEBRUARY 1ST)
Vocals / Bass / Drums

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.

A SELECTED DELTA GROOVE DISCOGRAPHY:
Mannish Boys “That Represent Man”
Mannish Boys “Live & In Demand”
Mannish Boys “Big Plans”
Rod Piazza & the Mighty Flyers "For The Chosen Who"
V/A – “Road Tested, Vol. 1”

JASON RICCI (FEBRUARY 3RD)
Vocals / Harmonica / nose Flute

Jason Ricci grew up in Portland, Maine and first picked up the harmonica at the age of 14 while playing in a punk rock band. His earliest musical influences came from bands like the Pixies, the Ramones, the Misfits and the Dead Kennedys, but he later became enamored with the blues through the music of Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield and Al Wilson of Canned Heat. After relocating to Memphis, TN, Jason won first place in the Sonny Boy Blues Society contest held in Helena, AK at the age of 21. In 1995, he released his first self titled debut “Jason Ricci” followed in ’97 by “Down At The Juke” on the small Memphis label North Magnolia Records run by Billy Gibbons. During this time he also had the opportunity of performing alongside R.L. Burnside and Junior Kimbrough while living with David Malone Kimbrough in Holly Springs, MS. Jason later spent time touring with Big Al & the Heavyweights in Florida before starting up his own band Jason Ricci & New Blood and releasing “Feel Good Funk” in 2001. Over the next several years the band underwent numerous personnel changes, released two more CD’s including “Live At Checker’s Tavern” in 2004 and “Blood On The Road” in 2006, all while racking up the miles with their exhaustive touring schedule of over 300 shows per year. Upon signing to the new Delta Groove imprint Eclecto Groove Records in 2007, Jason Ricci & New Blood were finally given the opportunity to deliver an album worthy of their exhilarating live performances. With the help of Grammy award winning producer John Porter, the band released their pivotal, groundbreaking recording “Rocket Number 9” in October of 2007.

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