04 Jun 2013

Volunteers Needed for Blues Festival

By MVBS

The 29th annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is coming up July 4 through 6 at Davenport's LeClaire Park.  Volunteers are still needed for all shifts July 3 through 7, including admission gate, beer tent, set up and tear down, and backstage hospitality.  Over 200 volunteers are needed.

Volunteers receive free admission to the Blues Festival as well as a souvenir festival t-shirt.  Priority is given to Mississippi Valley Blues Society members.  "Volunteers are the lifeblood of the Blues Festival," says Patty Britt, volunteer coordinator.  "The Mississippi Valley Blues Festival is the only major blues festival in the nation that's produced by a volunteer organization, the MVBS.  We rely on volunteers to help with all aspects of the festival."

To register, go to www.mvbs.org and click on BluesFest, then Volunteers.  That will take you to the registration page.  Or call the Blues Society office at 563-32-BLUES.

10 Apr 2013

Gary Allegretto Teaches Harmonica for Blues in the Schools April 22 to 26

By MVBS

MVBS presents its last Blues in the Schools artist-in-residence for the 2012-2013 school year, Gary Allegretto, the week of April 22 to 26.  The founding director of Harmonikids (a humanitarian organization that gives music therapy with harmonicas to special needs kids worldwide), and recipient of the Blues Foundation's 2011 Keeping the Blues Alive Award in Education, Gary will be teaching harmonica classes in area schools.  He will also present two open-to-the-public performances:

  • Tuesday April 23, 7:00 p.m.?Moline Public Library, 3210 41st Street, Moline IL
  • Friday April 26, 9:00 p.m.?The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf IA

Gary Allegretto's resume reads like a men's adventure wish-list: back-country forest ranger, forest firefighter on a "Hotshot" crew, LA city firefighter, bouncer in a couple rough honky-tonks and a blues bar, cowboy and ranch hand, beach lifeguard, white-water rafting guide, and traveling bluesman. He's a summa cum laude college graduate of Northern Arizona University, and the recipient of multiple awards for his outreach to children. He started playing upon receiving his first harmonica at age 5 from his woodsman grandfather. Soon after, while attending a cultural festival, he carelessly wandered away from his family following an irresistible sound:   a Big Walter Horton performance. As the loudspeakers blared something about a lost child, he knew he'd found his calling.

In 1985, while voluntarily performing blues concerts for children in the playroom of the Sloan Kettering Cancer Hospital in New York City, Gary noticed how the kids were irresistibly drawn to his harmonica. Shortly thereafter he founded Harmonikids, his non-pro?t organization aimed to provide harmonica music therapy to special needs kids, and he incorporated his endorsement by Hohner to acquire harmonicas at an affordable price. Further, Gary developed a one-of-a-kind teaching method designed to ?rst captivate kids' fascination with a blues performance and then teach them to play in minutes.

Gary has provided aid to special needs children from the earthquake devastated Port Au Prince, Haiti, to the tsunami refugee camps of North Sumatra, Indonesia to the Katrina evacuee trailer villages of Louisiana and many points in between.  To date, Gary's humanitarian programs have served to keep the blues alive by using it to touch and make a difference in over 20,000 young lives around the globe. Indeed, it is his passion and purpose?he receives no salary or monetary compensation for his work. He has channeled the therapeutic healing power of music to kids with physical and/or emotional challenges ranging from traumatic stress, to learning disabilities, to abuse or abandonment, to health problems as grave as terminal illness. Gary's programs have reached facilities like children's hospitals, Ronald McDonald Houses, burn recovery centers, juvenile detention homes, orphanages, and evacuee facilities such as a FEMA trailer village and refugee camps and beyond.

Recently Gary was chosen unanimously to be the first harmonica instructor at the Pinetop Perkins Foundation's Master Class 2012. Acclaimed for his versatile technique, he has taught thousands of kids worldwide to both learn about and actually play songs on the harmonica with lightning speed, elevating not only their knowledge but also confidence and self-esteem. Gary's Blues in The Schools program has been featured by many blues societies internationally and was hosted by the Blues Foundation in Memphis area schools as part of the 2008 and 2010 International Blues Challenges.

Gary's considerable merits as a blues artist lend even more credibility to his assets as a blues educator. He is self-taught, having learned from countless hours of spinning vinyl blues LP's of the masters from the '50s and '60s. Eager to share what he had learned with an audience, he hit his ?rst stage at age 15.

Gary says, "In my teens I had the unmatched thrill of witnessing the legendary Delta-born bluesman Muddy Waters perform with his legendary band. The experience changed my life and shaped my musical direction. I worked hard and imagined myself playing harp with them someday. Many years down the road, my dream was realized when I found myself performing on stages with two of these bluesmen?Bob  Margolin and Pinetop Perkins (whom I also recorded with)."  On his CD Many Shades of Blue, Gary was joined by friends including Ivan Neville, Janiva Magness, and Doug Macleod.   The CD also features duets of Gary with his dear now-departed friend, the National Heritage Award winning bluesman John Cephas.

Gary has also recorded with others, notably 2005 Grammy Life-time Achievement Award winner and blues legend Pinetop Perkins on Rich Del Grosso's Blues Music Award nominated CD release. At the conclusion of their CD release performance, Pinetop gave Gary the ultimate personal endorsement, exclaiming that he "can really blow that harp!" And then as he left the stage he turned and deliberately pointed directly to Gary, saying "You keep the business going."

In Gary's words, "This was from an idol of mine, a legendary man who played with Muddy Waters, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, and many other legends of the blues. My heart stopped and I just said...'yes sir', realizing that this was not just another reason to keep playing the music I love and continue the work of Keeping the Blues Alive?this was direct orders from the last of the great Mississippi Bluesmen."

The MVBS Blues in the Schools program is made possible by a generous grant from the Riverboat Development Authority.  We also thank our other sponsors the Iowa Arts Council, the Moline Foundation, The Lodge Hotel, Alcoa, and KALA radio.

22 Feb 2013

Blues in the Schools Feb. 25 to March 1

By MVBS

Hal Reed and Kevin Burt:  "Generations of Blues"

Blues in the Schools Residency

February 25 - March 1

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents Hal Reed and Kevin Burt for its Blues in the Schools Artists in Residency Series for the week of February 25 to March 1, 2013.  Hal and Kevin will conduct their "Generations of Blues" workshops at area schools and two Open to the Public performances:

  • Moline Public Library, Gold Room?Tuesday Feb. 26, 7-8:30 p.m. (3210 41st Street, Moline)
  • River Music Experience, Community Stage?Thursday Feb. 28, 7-9 p.m. (2nd and Main Streets in Davenport IA)

Through storytelling, discussions, and musical demonstration, Hal and Kevin will trace blues music's history and culture from its African roots through today's era, showing how and where the blues originated and threaded its way through all cultures in our society. The goal is that students today continue to appreciate, understand and carry their fathers' and mothers' music into the next generation.

Blues harmonica player, guitarist, singer and educator Hal Reed was born in Mississippi just a few miles from the Delta, where he grew up influenced by his grandfather, a talented southern folk-blues artist who in addition to inspiring young Hal's love for the blues taught Hal the need to pass it on from generation to generation.

Besides being a bandleader in the Quad-Cities, Hal is also the owner of The Muddy Waters in Bettendorf, where he brings in blues artists every week. And for the past five years he has been a teacher at the River Music Experience's Winter Blues program.  Hal along with Ellis Kell have been the moderators at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival's BlueSKool, where they have taught and presented the kids from the RME's Winter Blues program.

Hal has brought his "Generations of Blues" program to area schools three times before, to great acclaim.  Kevin Burt joins a team that has included Ellis Kell, Donald Kinsey, Chris Avey, and Bret Dale.

For over 20 years, Kevin "B.F." Burt has been electrifying audiences throughout the nation, dispelling the myth that true blues has no roots in Iowa.  His soul-inspired presentation is unique, which consistently gets him compared to a range of artists like Bill Withers and Aaron Neville, with the ability to build an audience rapport that has been compared to B.B. King.  Kevin is a self-taught musician (vocals, harmonica, and guitar) who has also had some stage acting experience.  In the off-Broadway play, Klub Ka, the Blues Legend, Kevin played Papa Gee and arranged all of the blues music.  The play, which originally ran in Iowa City and then in Washington DC, also had a two week run at LaMama's Experimental Theater in New York City and was sold out each night.  Kevin has also had roles in several other plays at the University of Iowa?for example, playing Whining Boy in the acclaimed August Wilson play The Piano Lesson.

Kevin was recognized as one of the Midwest's top blues heritage educators by Iowa Governor Chet Culver in 2009, and he has been the MVBS artist in residence for Blues in the Schools before.  Kevin is a registered artist educator with the State of Iowa Arts Council.  He has written and published a classroom harmonica method book called Just Play It: an Introduction to Blues Harmonica.  Kevin has shared the stage with many greats, including Albert Collins, B. B. King, Buddy Guy, Honeyboy Edwards, Janiva Magnus, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Robert Cray, Rod Piazza, Terrance Simien, the Holmes Brothers, the Neville Brothers, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Besides playing at the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and other Midwest blues festivals, Kevin has performed at the Smithsonian Festival of American Folklife (Washington, DC).

The Hal Reed and Kevin Burt "Generations of Blues" residency is made possible by major support from the Riverboat Development Authority. Additional support is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, the Moline Foundation, Alcoa, KALA-FM, and The Lodge of Bettendorf.

29 Nov 2012

MVBS Presents Lucky Peterson with Shawn Kellerman Wednesday Dec. 19

By MVBS

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents, for your holiday pleasure, a "powerhouse" of a blues show featuring blues veteran and multi-instrumentalist Lucky Peterson, his wife Tamara on vocals and, tearing it up on guitar, the "Canadian Face-Melter" Shawn Kellerman. Showtime is 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 19th at Rascal's, 1414 15th Street in Moline. Admission is a very reasonable $10 ($7 for MVBS members) for a show of this caliber.

lucky-peterson_350.jpg

Lucky Peterson, who last played here at our 1993 Blues Fest (the "Airport Fest"), was a child prodigy who played his first gig at age 3, recorded his first single?produced by the legendary Willie Dixon?at age 5 and went on to play The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson by the time he was age 6. He's recorded for major labels such as Verve, Evidence and Alligator and, in 2010, his album You Can Always Turn Around won a Blues Music Award for Best Blues Album of 2010. He plays guitar, keyboards, bass, drums and trumpet?but for this show, we suspect Mr. Kellerman will be handling most of the guitar fireworks.

Shawn Kellerman has played the Quad City area several times, including our Blues Festival in 2010, and is known for his thrashing blues-rock style as well as his mastery of straight-ahead blues.

You won't want to miss this show!  Have your nearest loved one give you an early Christmas present and get tickets for Lucky Peterson with Shawn Kellerman.

Steve Brundies, President

29 Nov 2012

MVBS Presents Scottie Miller

By MVBS

Sunday Dec. 16 at Martinis on the Rock

 

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society welcomes Scottie Miller and the Reuptake Inhibitors to Martinis on the Rock on Sunday, December 16.  The show will start at 6:00pm, and admission will be $7.00 for members and $10.00 for non-members.  Martinis on the Rock, an MVBS business member, is located at 4619 - 34th Street, Rock Island, right on the beautiful Rock River.

Scottie-Miller-copy.jpg

An accomplished and highly regarded keyboardist, Scottie offers up a diverse blend of blues, funk, soul and jazz, in addition to nailing down the New Orleans groove so tight this Minneapolis resident will have you wondering if the Mississippi River started flowing backwards.

Taking up piano at age six, Scottie Miller attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music, where, although he could only afford one year's tuition, he managed to complete all four years of proficiency requirements.  From there he went on to play with fellow Minnesotan Big John Dickerson and Blue Chamber, and later with Bo Diddley.

Currently, when not touring with his own band, he's been backing Ruthie Foster for the past four years.  In addition to being a keyboardist and bandleader, he's also a fantastic singer, songwriter, arranger and lyricist.  He's released seven CDs, including the solo acoustic effort Between the Black and the White, which compares favorably to Charles Brown's similarly classic album In a Grand Style.

The Events Committee has been trying to snag these guys for a couple of years, and we're fortunate to get them on this date, shortly after Scottie returns from a tour of Australia and a show in New York with Ruthie Foster.

Steve Pedigo

16 Nov 2012

Maggie Brown Blues in the Schools Nov. 26-30--Updated

By MVBS

Maggie Brown Returns to the Quad Cities for Blues in the Schools November 26-30

Chicago singer and educator Maggie Brown will be the MVBS Blues in the Schools artist-in residence in Quad City area schools during the week of November 26-30. She will also appear at four open-to-the-public performances:

  • Monday Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m.–Davenport Public Library Eastern Ave. Branch, 6000 Eastern Ave., Davenport
  • Wednesday Nov. 28, 10:00-11:00 a.m.–CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly, Davenport
  • Thursday Nov. 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m.–River Music Experience Café , 2nd and Main, Davenport
  • Friday Nov. 30, 6:00-7:00 p.m.–Bucktown Center for the Arts, Studio 56 at suite 201-B, 225 E. 2nd Street, Davenport

The MVBS Education Committee was introduced to Maggie Brown originally when Nate Lawrence brought her to Davenport for the Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz program at the River Music Experience.  We were so impressed with her performance that we asked Maggie to come back to conduct three days of workshops for kids the week of the 2012 BluesFest, and then to bring those kids and her talent to BlueSKool at the festival.

Maggie Brown is a tremendously talented singer and performer using her gift to not only entertain, but educate as well. Maggie is the daughter of the late Oscar Brown, Jr. a world renowned composer, social activist, and legendary giant of the jazz music scene. Mr. Brown passed on his artistic integrity to his daughter, who now uses her own voice to create images that excite and inspire. For 20 years, Maggie has nationally toured her one-woman show, "LEGACY: Our Wealth of Music," which follows the history and evolution of African American music and covers a wide range of musical forms.

Mother of three young boys, Maggie sees the need to work through the arts to make an impact on young lives. Her message fosters care and respect for words, music, history and life. Maggie describes what she does as "edutainment."  She calls on all of her talents to demonstrate how black people courageously and virtuously responded to the horrors of slavery, segregation and disenfranchisement by creating inspiring and thriving art forms which have become part of our American cultural heritage.

Maggie is called upon by various arts organizations and schools to serve as artist-in-residence.  Maggie enjoys using those classroom opportunities to engage young minds with poetry and songs that help them recognize and hopefully value their place in the world. Tracing the history of African-American creativity, Maggie examines the roots of black musical culture and its greatest flowerings, from African chant to early ragtime, from blues to jazz.

Major funding for Maggie Brown`s Blues in the Schools residency comes from the Riverboat Development Authority.  Thanks also to our sponsors The Iowa Arts Council, The Moline Foundation, Alcoa, The Lodge, River Music Experience, and KALA radio.

01 Nov 2012

Maggie Brown Returns to the Quad Cities for Blues in the Schools November 26-30

By MVBS

Chicago singer and educator Maggie Brown will be the MVBS Blues in the Schools artist-in residence in Quad City area schools during the week of November 26-30. She will also appear at four open-to-the-public performances:

·         Monday Nov. 26, 6:30 p.m.?Davenport Public Library Eastern Ave. Branch, 6000 Eastern Ave.,

·         Wednesday Nov. 28, 10:00-11:00 a.m.?CASI, 1035 W. Kimberly, Davenport

·         Thursday Nov. 29, 7:00-9:00 p.m.?River Music Experience Café , 2nd and Main, Davenport

The MVBS Education Committee was introduced to Maggie Brown originally when Nate Lawrence brought her to Davenport for the Polyrhythms Third Sunday Jazz program at the River Music Experience.  We were so impressed with her performance that we asked Maggie to come back to conduct three days of workshops for kids the week of the 2012 BluesFest, and then to bring those kids and her talent to BlueSKool at the festival.

Maggie Brown is a tremendously talented singer and performer using her gift to not only entertain, but educate as well. Maggie is the daughter of the late Oscar Brown, Jr. a world renowned composer, social activist, and legendary giant of the jazz music scene. Mr. Brown passed on his artistic integrity to his daughter, who now uses her own voice to create images that excite and inspire. For 20 years, Maggie has nationally toured her one-woman show, "LEGACY: Our Wealth of Music," which follows the history and evolution of African American music and covers a wide range of musical forms.

Mother of three young boys, Maggie sees the need to work through the arts to make an impact on young lives. Her message fosters care and respect for words, music, history and life. Maggie describes what she does as "edutainment."  She calls on all of her talents to demonstrate how black people courageously and virtuously responded to the horrors of slavery, segregation and disenfranchisement by creating inspiring and thriving art forms which have become part of our American cultural heritage.

Maggie is called upon by various arts organizations and schools to serve as artist-in-residence.  Maggie enjoys using those classroom opportunities to engage young minds with poetry and songs that help them recognize and hopefully value their place in the world. Tracing the history of African-American creativity, Maggie examines the roots of black musical culture and its greatest flowerings, from African chant to early ragtime, from blues to jazz.

Major funding for Maggie Brown's Blues in the Schools residency comes from the Riverboat Development Authority.  Thanks also to our sponsors The Iowa Arts Council, The Moline Foundation, Alcoa, The Lodge, River Music Experience, and KALA radio.

03 Oct 2012

Scott Ainslie Visits Quad Cities for Blues in the Schools October 22-26

By MVBS

Guitarist, educator, and historian Scott Ainslie will be the first artist-in-residence for the Mississippi Valley Blues Society's Blues in the Schools program for the 2012-2013 academic year.  He will visit schools in the Quad-City area during the week of October 22-26.  He will also present three open-to-the-public performances:

  • Monday October 22?LeClaire Community Library (3rd and Wisconsin, LeClaire IA), 6:00-7:00 p.m.
  • Thursday October 25?River Music Experience Café (2nd and Main, Davenport IA), 7:00-9:00 p.m.
  • Friday October 26?The Muddy Waters (1708 State St. Bettendorf IA), 9:00-9:45 p.m.

In 1967, at a Mike Seeger concert at his high school outside of Washington DC, Scott Ainslie heard Virginia bluesman John Jackson (1924-2002) play a couple of songs.  Things haven't been the same since.  Scott started playing guitar a month later and has now spent nearly forty years studying and playing traditional music, visiting and documenting senior musicians in America's old-time banjo and fiddle music, blues and gospel traditions.

Drawing  on the musical  legacies  of  Delta blues  legends  Robert  Johnson  and Muddy Waters, the East  Coast's Blind Blake,  and  Durham NC's  Reverend  Gary  Davis  and Blind Boy  Fuller, Scott Ainslie  is  a  noted  performer  and  scholar  with  experience teaching elements  of African  and African-American music to  students  of  all  ages,  both  in the classroom  and  from the  stage.

With five CDs, a teaching DVD on the guitar techniques of Delta blues legend Robert Johnson, and a book on Johnson's music?Robert Johnson/At The Crossroads (Hal Leonard, 1992)?to his credit, as a performer and a teacher Scott Ainslie continues to present programs that are vital and entertaining. On the road, Scott performs and presents workshops in schools, libraries, community arts venues, colleges and festivals. He is also a respected instructor at music programs across the country and maintains an active schedule teaching guitar out of his home in Brattleboro, Vermont.

His work includes teaching concerts on the African roots of American music using live performances of blues, worksongs, gospel, jazz, and rhythm and blues to illustrate the historical and musical connections between African and American cultures.  Scott's performances always include interesting stories and anecdotes about the music that leave his audiences slyly better educated and fully entertained.

From 1986 until 2001, Scott served as a Visiting Artist in artist-in-residency programs throughout North Carolina and Virginia. Based at community colleges and serving local communities, he developed a strong educational component to his performances, seeking out the history and background of the music in order to make it moving and interesting to audiences of varying ages and backgrounds.  Performing on guitars, a one-stringed diddley bow (of African derivation) and recently, the gourd banjo and Southern old-time fiddling, Scott brings four decades of experience with traditional music and musicians to his audiences.

From community concert series and local schools to the Kennedy Center and the renowned Empire Music Hall in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Scott Ainslie plays and speaks of the music he loves with passion and authority. Combining over 30 years of scholarship and 40 playing guitar, Scott presents a beguiling mix of the African and American roots of the blues in story and song.

Ainslie's recordings include three roots-oriented acoustic blues projects, Jealous of the Moon (1995), Terraplane (1997), You Better Lie Down (2002), and a collection of Ainslie's non-blues original songs, The Feral Crow (2004)?which continues his exploration and mastery of pre-World War II guitar styles, and his current Thunder's Mouth (2008).

Major funding for Scott Ainslie's Blues in the Schools residency comes from the Riverboat Development Authority.  Thanks also to our sponsors The Iowa Arts Council, The Moline Foundation, Alcoa, The Lodge, and KALA radio.

28 Sep 2012

MVBS Presents Billy Thompson Friday October 12

By MVBS

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society presents, in concert, virtuoso guitarist, outstanding vocalist and gifted songwriter Billy Thompson and band on Friday, October 12th, 2012, at The Muddy Waters (1708 State Street in Bettendorf, Iowa). The show starts at 9:00, admission is $10, only $8 for MVBS members.

BillyThompson.jpg

 

Billy's credits are many, including playing lead guitar for several years with both Little Milton and Larry "Arkansas" Davis as well as stretches with Albert King, Earl King, Elvin Bishop, Chuck Berry, Art Neville and many others. He also did theatrical stints playing lead guitar for the Broadway show Ain't Nothin' But The Blues and for Tony Award winning playwright Keith Glover's "Bluesical," Thunder Knocking On The Door, which Billy then recorded with award-winning bluesman Keb Mo. His current CD, A Better Man, features members from the bands Little Feat, Robert Cray, Bonnie Raitt and Crosby Stills and Nash

I know, I know, you've never heard of Billy Thompson, and neither had I. I got his newest CD, A Better Man, via Blues Blast Magazine, as Billy's latest work was nominated for best Contemporary Blues CD this year. Well, let me tell ya, he's a good one. His songs are laced with poetic lyrics, his vocals both varied and soulful, and his guitar work first-rate. It's one of the duties of the MVBS to bring blues acts here that otherwise wouldn't be booked in this area. Especially the good ones. Check him out at reverbnation.com/billythompsonband.

Don't miss this renaissance bluesman at The Muddy Waters on Friday, October 12th, in a show sponsored by the MVBS.

--Steve Brundies                        
18 Sep 2012

Mississippi Valley Blues Society Brings Fiery Blues Guitarist Ryan McGarvey Back to the Quad Cities

By MVBS

The Mississippi Valley Blues Society will present "Next King Of The Blues" (Guitar Center) Ryan McGarvey at The Muddy Waters, 1708 State Street, Bettendorf, IA, on Tuesday, September 18. The show will start at 7:00 p.m. with doors opening at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $8 for members of the Mississippi Valley Blues Society or $10 if you are not a member (membership applications will be available at the door).

At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!At the age of only 25, Ryan McGarvey has, in a relatively short amount of time, toured internationally as a well -respected, original blues/rock singer, songwriter and guitarist and has won countless awards. He has been named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico, and for three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" (The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll). McGarvey was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the summer of 2008 and McGarvey was picked from over 4,000 artists to play at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.

McGarvey has had the honor and pleasure of sharing the stage with such top name acts as Joe Bonamassa, Derek Trucks & Susan Tedeschi, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, giving him a highly successful influence and constantly evolving approach to blues music. In reference to McGarvey, Joe Bonnamassa says, "I was very impressed at the depth of his influence and his ability to put his influences together in his own way."

McGarvey played the 2011 Mississippi Valley Blues Festival, leaving the audience breathless. With a solid rhythm section backing him, McGarvey and his band continue to embark on styles like Delta slide playing, hard rock, fast scale lines, and rich soulful bends that keep you wanting more.... Don't miss your chance to catch them on September 18!

At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!
:: 2010 Best Musician (Albuquerque The Magazine) ::

:: 2010 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi) ::

:: 2009 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi) ::

:: 2009 Best Guitarist Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi) ::

:: 2008 Best Musician (Albuquerque The Magazine) ::

:: 2008 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi) ::

:: 2007 Blues Act Of The Year (The Weekly Alibi) ::

:: 2007 NM Music Award Winner (Blues Song Of The Year) ::

:: 2007 NM Music Award Nominee (Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year) ::

:: 2006 Guitarmaggeddon Champion Of NM (Guitar Center) ::



"Ryan's playing has the passion and exuberance of youth, but its further lifted by a deep dedication to his craft. His technique is awe-inspiring, but its the dawning subtleties and emotional range that hints of the greatest possibilities--" - Ian Moore

"Look for this young lion in the future because he's looking for his own sound and what I've heard so far; I like it." - Chris Duarte

" I met Ryan 4 years ago and was very impressed at the depth of his influence and his ability to put said influences together in his own way..
To watch him grow as a artist and to hear his name mentioned to me as much as it has is a testament to his hard work and skill. " -Joe Bonamassa

At age 25, Albuquerque, New Mexico native Ryan McGarvey has in a relatively short amount of time not only gained a national, and international fan base, but admiration from his personal idols as well. In the past few years of Ryan's career he has had the honor, and the pleasure of sharing the bill with such top name act's as Blue Oyster Cult, Shemekia Copeland, Shannon Curfman, Chris Duarte, Ian Moore, John Hammond Jr., Joe Bonamassa, Back Door Slam, Gov't Mule, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. His debut CD release "Forward In Reverse" recently reached the top 20 (out of over 200,000 Artist's Cd's) on the best sellers list on CDBaby.com (The worlds largest online independent distributor). With rave reviews complimenting everything from his fiery guitar chops, which range from everything from delta slide to heavy rock, his unique vocals, or mature songwriting skills, Ryan McGarvey's live shows will leave you breathless and wanting more. Absorbing influences from everything from early delta blues, to classic hard rock, to more contemporary blues/rock artist's of today. In 2006 Ryan was named Guitar Center 's "Guitarmaggeddon: Next King Of The Blues" champion of New Mexico . For three consecutive years (2007-2009) he was named "Blues Act Of The Year", and was runner up for "Singer/Songwriter Of The Year", as well as was named "Best Guitarist Of The Year" for 2009 in The Weekly Alibi's Annual Readers Poll. In 2007 Ryan took home the New Mexico Music Award for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his song "Cryin' Over You", and was nominated for "Mainstream Rock Song Of The Year" for his song "The One That Got Away". In 2008 Ryan was once again nominated for "Blues Song Of The Year" for his blues ballad "Blue Eyed Angel Blues". Most recently Ryan was featured by the editors of Guitar Player Magazine twice during the Summer of 2008 in their publication. And, was named "Best Musician" from Albuquerque The Magazine's Annual "Best Of The City" Readers Poll. In 2010 Ryan and his band were chosen out of some 4,000 bands (worldwide), and approved to perform a set at Eric Clapton's Crossroads Guitar Festival in Chicago.With a solid rhythm section backing him, Ryan McGarvey and his band are embarking on bigger and better things... Don't miss your chance to catch them in a town near you!For more information on events presented by the Mississippi Valley Blues Society visit: www.mvbs.org; or email mvbs@mvbs.org.

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Ryan McGarvey by Gary Eckhart.jpg

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