Blues groups The Bluehemians, Home Brewed and Slick Willie and the Right Cats will perform through out the day at this year’s Barbecue ‘n Blues Festival.
THE BLUEHEMIANS
The Bluehemians, founded in 2003 by bassist Bob Wallace, hale from Tulsa. They perform popular blues styles such as Traditional, West Coast Jump, Chicago and Texas Blues. The Bluehemians were winners of the PCL (www.paynecountyline.com) 2005 “Entertainers of the Year”, PLC 2006 “Blues Band of the Year” and first runner-up 2005 Urban Tulsa Magazine “Best New Band.”
Members consist of Bob Wallace/bass & vocals, Mark Carpenter/ guitar & vocals, Danny Baker/guitar & vocals, Jimmy Karstein/drums. All members are long time Tulsa area musicians.
Karstein is best known as drummer for J.J. Cale for the past four decades. He has also toured and recorded with Eric Clapton, Joe Cocker, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Pete Townsend, Ronnie Wood and now splits his time playing with the Red Dirt Rangers and the Bluehemians.
“Little” Danny Baker is a well-known Tulsa musician and songwriter and the owner of Bison Records.
Mark Carpenter is also well-known in the Tulsa area as former guitarist for Gus Harden and many Tulsa bands. He played in the Los Angeles area for a few years in the 80s.
Bassist Bob Wallace is a veteran of both the northern California and Oklahoma blues scene. He is a former member of The Midnight Rhythm Rockers which included former band members of blues greats Rod Pizzia, William Clark and Jonnie Dyer. He co-founded the popular jump blues band The Hydrometrics with ex-Pizzia/Clark guitarist Steve Killman and blues harp master David Bernston. The Bluehemians were his next project, blending all the blues styles the members have learned on stages around the world. The result is a band that truly enjoys playing the blues with their heart and soul…..the way blues were meant to be played.
The Bluehemians will take stage 11 a.m. – 12: 45 p.m.
HOME BREWED
Home Brewed is a three-piece band, featuring Dell Dunham on lead guitar and vocals, Chris Hill on drums and Larry Sparkman on bass and vocals. The band’s first CD “Brewin’ the Blues,” received an excellent review from the Tulsa Blues Society News in March of 2006.
When the Okmulgee-based Home Brewed Band performs you would think they were playing Madison Square Garden! They appreciate and savor every minute of it. Most recently Home Brewed has been showcased at the Golden Pony Casino. They have also been featured on Friday Morning Prehistoric Studio B with Phil and Brent on 97.5 KMOD. Home Brewed took second place in the Tulsa Blues Society Battle of the Bands in 2006.
Home Brewed will take stage at 1:05 – 2:50 p.m.
SLICK WILLIE AND THE RIGHT CATS
Slick Willie and the Right Cats brand of blues is as smooth as their name suggests. Their musical styling reminds you of Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and BB King. Their original music tells a story that rings true to everyone who has ever lived, loved and lost. The group gives a new approach to the blues by putting their own spin on each of the songs they perform giving them a new feel. Slick Willie and the Right Cats will take stage at 3:10 – 5 p.m.
***
