Delta Groove Newsletter

FEATURING SPECIAL GUESTS:
Al Blake: harmonica
Mitch Kashmar: harmonica
Joel Paterson: Pedal Steel Guitar
Jeff Turmes: Saxophones

“It is rare these days to see young blues musicians come along who have the kind of vision and commitments to play this music and make a go of it like these guys are. I am impressed by their talents and their humility…” – Al Blake (Hollywood Blue Flames)

"Vyasa really is a triple threat: guitar player, singer and songwriter. No doubt he is one hell of a guitar player, but it is his singing on this that really knocks me out." – Junior Watson

"The Portland, Oregon, group has that West Coast Swing sound down pat, performing tight numbers with original songwriting…There are no wasted notes and the music breathes with the palm trees.” – Blues Wax

Retail: ~~$17.99~~
OUR PRICE: $12.99 + s&h

The Insomniacs seemed to literally explode onto the scene out of nowhere in 2007 as a fully formed and functional unit delighting audiences with their joyous, yet highly contagious musical sound and irresistible sense of swing. Their self-produced debut release “Left Coast Blues” recorded in the living room of bassist Dean Mueller’s house was quickly snatched up and issued on Delta Groove Music, hitting a peak position of No. 5 on the national Living Blues radio charts. Critical praise and industry recognition from the blues community soon followed garnering the band a 2008 Blues Music Award nomination for Best New Artist Debut, as well as a 2007 Muddy Award presented by the Cascade Blues Association for Best Contemporary Blues Act.

Since the release of “Left Coast Blues,” the band has been racking up the miles on their Sprinter van and introducing their fresh take on West Coast Blues to festivals and clubs up and down the coastline and into the Mid-West, continually expanding their reach as they conquer new towns and add to their ever growing list of adoring fans. The Insomniacs have in the process stylistically filled a void left by many of the pioneers and practitioners of this uniquely left coast music who are either no longer with us, or have decided to move on and explore other avenues within the musical realm.

In October 2008, The Insomniacs were once again caught off guard as they were whisked into the studio by Delta Groove to record the follow up to their critically acclaimed debut on what was thought to be just another routine pass through town. Unbelievably the album, "At Least I'm Not With You", was recorded in only two days! The band led by 27-year old vocalist/guitarist Vyasa Dodson, together with bassist Dean Mueller, keyboardist Alex Shakeri and drummer Dave Melyan, laid down an astounding set of material that had been finely tuned night after night out on the road over the last two years; only this time the band had the benefit of utilizing a professional recording studio for superior sound with access to a grand piano and Hammond B-3. Joined by special guests Al Blake, Mitch Kashmar, Joel Paterson and Jeff Turmes, The Insomniacs expand on their original intoxicating formula and deliver what is sure to become an instant classic. A recipe guaranteed to provide the band with many more sleepless nights as they now must answer the call and respond to the demands of fans waking up everywhere with those left coast blues!

CLICK TO LISTEN TO AUDIO CLIPS & MORE INFO!

On Friday, May 8th, the Delta/Eclecto Groove All-Star Blues Revue returns to the New Daisy Theater in Memphis, Tennessee – the venue where the concert series was originally established on May 12, 2006. This annual tradition which follows what is considered to be the blues’ biggest night of the year, The Blues Music Awards, has now blossomed into a bona fide blues lovers phenomenon with fans eagerly anticipating the announcement of the lineup each and every year. And despite our country’s difficult economic times, Delta Groove Music is out to prove once again that the value of the U.S. dollar is still intact!

To kick off this year’s event in true Hollywood fashion, Delta & Eclecto Groove Music proudly presents a special sneak preview screening of the brand new harmonica film documentary “Pocket Full of Soul.” Narrated by Huey Lewis, the film explores the mythos and evolution of the harmonica and the gifted musicians that inhabit its universe. This film directed by Marc Lempert and produced by Marc Lempert and Todd Slobin features:

Clint Black, Robert Bonfiglio, James Cotton, Magic Dick, Taylor Hicks, Robert Klein, Howard Levy, Huey Lewis, Delbert McClinton, L.O. Miller, Tommy Morgan, Charlie Musselwhite, Rob Papparozi, John Popper, Jerry Portnoy, Mickey Raphael, Jason Ricci, Peter Madcat Ruth, Sugar Blue, Survivorman Les Stroud, Kim Wilson AND MORE!!!

And after the screening it’ll be time to put your party hat on as Delta & Eclecto Groove Music unveil an evening of unprecedented proportions by featuring a colossal slice of our label’s roster and an authoritative education in the finer aspects of American Music.

(Click the images below for more info on each artist)

FOR MORE INFORMATION CLICK HERE!

For your convenience all tickets will be held at the Will Call box office at the New Daisy Theatre. Physical tickets WILL NOT be mailed out!

You can also purchase your tickets from
Ticket Web.

3RD ANNUAL DELTA GROOVE ALL-STAR BLUES REVUE
“LIVE AT GROUND ZERO, VOL. 1&2”

Take home the magic of the 3rd Annual Delta Groove All-Star Blues Revue with two brand new recordings - “Live At Ground Zero, Vol. 1 & 2.” Each disc features highlights from last year’s celebrated blues event recorded at club Ground Zero on May 8, 2008 in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Tracks include fan favorites plus many new songs unavailable anywhere else by Los Fabulocos featuring Kid Ramos, The Insomniacs, The Jackie Payne Steve Edmonson Band, The Mannish Boys with Johnny Dyer, Finis Tasby & Bobby Jones, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher, Junior Watson, Phillip Walker, Mike Zito and Jason Ricci & New Blood. Both CD’s will be made available to the public for the very first time at this year’s 4th Annual Delta & Eclecto Groove All-Star Blues Revue on May 8th at the New Daisy Theatre in Memphis, TN with the official street date following on May 19th.

NEW ARTIST SIGNING:

Please join us in welcoming the latest member to the Delta Groove Family – Candye Kane!!! This sassy, yet soulful diva should be no stranger to most crime fighters and blues connoisseurs alike as she’s been circling the globe and belting out her particular brand of blues now for nearly two decades. Having recently overcome her heroic battle with pancreatic cancer, Candye now proudly makes her triumphant return on Delta Groove Music. Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird. It’s a plane. No, it’s “Superhero” on Delta Groove Music coming this summer. Available June 16th!

PIAZZA UNLEASHES THE SOUL MONSTER!!!

Rod Piazza has just completed work on his latest creation and third effort for Delta Groove Music (and his 24th album overall for those of you keeping track!) There are plenty of thrills to be found here as The Mighty Flyers continue to soar to new heights. It’s all here including Piazza originals and loving tributes to George “Harmonica” Smith, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and Slim Harpo, as well as many more surprises along the way! So be sure to sleep with one eye open as you won’t want to be caught off guard when Rod Piazza & The Mighty Flyers Blues Quartet unleash the “Soul Monster “on Delta Groove Music this June.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ABLUM!

THE MANNISH BOYS SET TO PERFORM AT THE 2008 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS:

The Mannish Boys have been invited to perform at this year’s 30th Annual Blues Music Awards on Thursday, May 7th in Memphis, TN. The band is amongst the first wave of performers announced which includes Bettye LaVette, Maria Muldaur, Taj Mahal, Rory Block, Janiva Magness and many others. The Mannish Boys are currently nominated for 3 BMA’s including Band of the Year, Album of the Year and Traditional Blues Album of the Year.

In addition to being honored with the Mannish Boys invitation to perform at the Blues Music Awards, the Delta Groove Family would also like to congratulate all of its 2008 BMA nominees!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ABLUM!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM!

CEDRIC BURNSIDE & LIGHTNIN’ MALCOLM AT CACTUS MUSIC:

Catch Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm in a special live in-store appearance at Cactus Music in Houston, Texas on Saturday, May 23rd @ 3:30pm. The boys will be there to promote their brand new CD “2 Man Wrecking Crew” as well as their performance that night at the Continental Club. Cactus Music is located at 2110 Portsmouth in Houston, TX. Tel: (713) 526-9272 www.myspace/cactusmv

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO ON THIS ALBUM!

DELTA GROOVE & ECLECTO GROOVE COME TOGETHER:

At last year's Heritage Blues Festival in Wheeling, West Virginia, Delta Groove recording artist The Mannish Boys took to the stage and rocked the house in front of a jam-packed crowd of enthusiastic fans. As a highlight to their All-Star Blues Revue, Eclecto Groove recording artists Ana Popovic and The Soul of John Black joined the band for what was nothing short of a legendary performance. And now you can view what all the fans who were lucky enough to be there at the festival got to see first hand.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO CLIP!

Ana Popovic: guitar & vocals, The Soul of John Black: guitar & vocals, Bobby Jones: vocals, Finis Tasby: vocals, Kirk Fletcher: guitar, Kid Ramos: guitar, Ronnie James Weber: bass, Richard Innes: drums, Randy Chortkoff: MC

STUFF YOU GOTTA WATCH:

Almost anyone with an internet connection by now is surely familiar with the worldwide phenomenon known as YouTube.com. This month we feature videos by Delta Groove recording artists Candye Kane, The Insomniacs, Cedric Burnside & Lightnin’ Malcolm, Los Fabulocos, Kirk “Eli” Fletcher and a couple by Lynwood Slim including one gem that’s an absolute bonified classic!