MUSIC

"Blues on Fire"

Those of you who saw shorty the last time around at Bull Run know. The rest of you need to come and see for yourself. Honestly, shorty is a force of nature. Our Sound Man, the loquacious Steve Gaetz, who is not easily impressed, said "This guy can play anything. He's like Jimi Hendrix and Buddy Guy in one package." And it's true; Shorty is, hands down, one of the best guitarists you'll see.

Dressed in his flashy bright red suit, hands loaded with jewelry and his quick smiling face, he's the consummate showman. But if flashy acrobatics were all there was to his performance, it might get old soon. In reality, Guitar Shorty is on that short list of great blues guitar players who I never get tired of watching and listening too. I just keep coming back to see his show every time he comes to town - his guitar playing is simply that good!". - Ray Stiles, Blues on Stage.

At 16 Guitar Shorty, aka David Kearney, joined Ray Charles and his band for a year. At 17 he recorded a single under the direction of Willie Dixon. Guitar Slim lured him away to New Orleans to be in his band. Soon Shorty formed his own group and became the house band at the legendary Dew Drop Inn where he played with greats like T Bone Walker, Big Joe Turner and Little Richard. It took a job with Sam Cooke to get 19 year old Shorty to the West Coast. In 1961 he met his wife, Marcia, in Seattle and he got Jimi Hendrix, for a brother-in-law. The young Hendrix often came to see Shorty play and they were friends until Jimi's untimely death. Shorty rolled back to Los Angeles after that and cut his first full album there, winning his first W.C. Handy Award. He often jams at local clubs with former members of the Eagles, Steely Dan, and calls local blues artist Keb Mo a personal friend and fan. He continues to capture audiences with his sincerity, energy, and Rocking/Blues style.

Open: A Ton of Blues - A Ton of Blues was created out of the love of real Blues Music and an appreciation for the old school Open Blues Jams.

A Ton of Blues are Scott LeBlanc, guitars; Jeff Lorenzen, bass; Al Clark, drums; and Mike "Spud" Kelly, vocals & harp.