... to preserve,
promote and perpetuate the Blues Tradition ...
The Louisville Blues Compilation
Volume II
2013 CD
** Buy Now in KBS CD Shop **
In 1990, Scott Mullins and Rollin' and Tumblin' Records produced a vinyl LP entitled "Louisville Blues Compilation" which included 10 tracks by Curtis & The Kicks, Da Mudcats, Henry & the Noisemakers, Foree Wells & The Walnut Street Blues Band, Mark Stein & The Steamrollers, Steve Ferguson & The Humanitarians, Derby City Blues Review, Rocky Amaretto Blues Band, The Bluebirds and Steve Ferguson.
In celebration of our 25th anniversary, KBS released a new edition of a Louisville Blues Compliation on CD in time for the Garvin Gate Blues Festival, ahead of the CD Release Party for our annual birthday party. The KBS board invited 12 bands to record one original song each for this CD. The songs were recorded at DMR Music in Charlestown, IN with the assistance of owner Dana Roy. Dana and Mike Lynch of da Mudcats were the recording engineers for the CD. KBS President Gary Sampson and Board Director Rocky Adcock worked as co-executive producers for the project, with assistance from Board Directors Natalie Carter, Nelson Grube and Debbie Wilson.
These bands each provided an original song for the CD: (details below)
- Mark Stein & the Rib Tip Kings - Extra Marks
- da Mudcats - Bourbon for Breakfast
- Jimmy Davis - Holdin' The Knife
- Mississippi Adam Riggle - Good Times / Bad Times
- River City Blues Band - Travelin' In My Mind To Be With You
- Big Poppa Stampley - I Ain't No Good Enough
- Susan O’Neil - Sugar Daddy
- Lamont Gillispie & 100 Proof - The Day The Delta Cried (A Tribute to Sam Myers)
- Joe DeBow Experience - Can't Walk Away
- The KingBees - Blues Contusion
- Little T&A - Midnight's Almost Gone
- Jimi V & Screamin’ John - Three Long Years
CD's are $15 each with $1 from every CD going to each band and $3 going to the KBS.
All proceeds from on-line digital sales go to the bandsThe Louisville Blues Compilation Volume II is available online in the KBS CD Shop, at KBS events, at Better Days Records in Louisville KY or digitally at CDBaby and iTunes.
Thanks to our sponsors: Amy & Gary Lowen, Bob Brown, Deb Wilson & Carolyn Brown, DMR Music, Don Edmondson, Four Roses Bourbon, Info+ LLC, Jeanne Doak, John Browning, Keith Clements, Kentuckiana Blues Radio Show, Mindy & Ray Current, Nelson & Chris Grube, Rocky Adcock and Roger Wolford. Special thanks to Jimmie the Tulip Productions for CD duplication.
The Louisville Blues Compilation Volume II
Produced by the Kentuckiana Blues SocietyThis compilation disc was produced by the Kentuckiana Blues Society (KBS) to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the blues society based in Louisville, KY. A member of the Blues Foundation, the KBS is a non-profit, 501(C)(3) organization dedicated to the preservation, promotion and perpetuation of the blues tradition in all of its forms.
Mark Stein & the Rib Tip Kings – Extra Marks by Mark Stein
The Rib Tip Kings are Mark Stein (guitar), Lamont "Phatbeat" Melson (drums) and Rick O'Neil (bass). They have all played in the Ohio Valley area for over four decades. Mark Stein performs with and heartily endorses only G&L musical instruments.da Mudcats – Bourbon for Breakfast by Amy Johnson (lyrics) and da Mudcats (music)
Mike Lynch (bass & vocals), Rob Pickett (guitar), Gene Wickliffe (drums)
Da Mudcats have been called the best blues band in Louisville for over 25 years. Gene Wickliffe (drums) and Rob Pickett (guitar and vocals) have performed their exciting and innovative approach to contemporary blues but always with a great respect for tradition. In March of 2001, Mike Lynch (bass and vocals) joined the group. The band draws upon the classic form with an honest love for writing and playing original music. Da Mudcats have released five independent CD's: Da Mudcats, Back to the Basic, I Wanna Play in your Big Back Yard, Live at Moms and Blue Kentucky Moon.Jimmy Davis – Holdin' the Knife by Jimmy Davis
Jimmy Davis (guitar & vocals), Jimmy Davis (bass), Kerry Mefford (drums)
The Jimmy Davis band has been performing to packed houses for close to two decades in the Midwest with their brand of funk-infused and guitar driven blues. After sharing the stage with the likes of blues legends Lonnie Mack, Son Seals and Junior Watson and having over 2,000 shows under his belt, Jimmy is already a seasoned musical veteran. From Chicago to Texas blues, from Muddy Waters to originals, the Jimmy Davis Band never fails to deliver.Mississippi Adam Riggle – Good Times/Bad Times by Mississippi Adam Riggle
Mississippi Adam Riggle (guitar & vocals), Brick Marlin (harmonica), James Warfield (bass), Bobby McMillan (drums)
Mississippi Adam Riggle was taught by the bluesmen that helped shape the blues in the Mississippi Delta. He was 11 years old when he visited his first juke joint in Clarksdale, MS called Smitty's Red Top. It was there on a warm May night he heard first hand the raw, hard driving music known as Delta blues. It was there he met blues musicians like James "Super Chicken" Johnson, "Mr. Johnnie” Billington and others. He was sitting in with many of them by the time he was 13 years old. Under the tutelage of Wesley "Mississippi June Bug" Jefferson, Adam became an official member of the Wesley Jefferson Southern Soul Band. Adam continues to perfect his skills as a bluesman by playing the clubs in and around the Louisville area, sometimes traveling to Mississippi or Chicago to perform. The band includes long time bassman James Warfield, Brick Marlin on harmonica and Bobby McMillan on drums.River City Blues Band – Travelin' In My Mind To Be With You by Margo Thornbury (lyrics) and the River City Blues Band (music)
The River City Blues Band started in early 2000 and features four musicians with more than thirty years experience each. The members are Denny Thornbury (harmonica and vocals), Mark Stein (guitar and vocals), Rex Newlin (guitar), Chris Kress (bass guitar and vocals) and “Lightnin Mike” Kovacs (drums). They are frequently seen at the Maple Inn, Stevie Ray's, Mr. G's Lounge and host a Sunday night blues jam at the Pizza Place in Hikes Point. They've released three CD's. The first entitled Pan Fried and two live recordings called Live at the Grand and Live - No Jive.Big Poppa Stampley & Voodou Gumbo – I Ain't No Good Enough by Big Poppa Stampley
Big Poppa Stampley (guitar & vocals), Fred Bogert (keyboards & bass), Tom Radcliffe (harmonica), Hugh Peterson (drums), Big Poppa Stampley and Tom Radcliffe (backing vocals)
Big Poppa Stampley is working on his fifth personal release Universal Bluesman and was proud to contribute the song “I Ain’t No Good Enough” to the 25th Anniversary Kentuckiana Blues Society CD. Big Poppa loves the blues and has spent years traveling the country and abroad performing and bringing his blues story to thousands. Big Poppa also teaches the history of American music in schools and has appeared in radio, TV and film as a voice actor.Susan O'Neil – Sugar Daddy lyrics by Susan O'Neil and musical arrangement by Rick O'Neil
Musicians included Susan O'Neil (lead vocals), Bill Dean (keyboards), Drew Allison (slide guitar and backup vocals), Jay Jackson (harmonica and backup vocals), Rick O'Neil (bass and backup vocals), Gene Wickliffe (drums) and Gary Sampson (backup vocals).Lamont Gillispie & 100 Proof – The Day The Delta Cried (A Tribute to Sam Myers) by Lamont Gillispie
Lamont Gillispie (harmonica & vocals), David Witherspoon (guitar), Mark Bright (saxophone), Bill Dean (keyboards), Byron Davies (bass), Steve Holmes (drums)
Lamont Gillespie heard the word when he was 19 years old. If you dig the blues, then you need to dig Chicago, right down to its bones. More than 40 years later, Lamont Gillispie & 100 Proof Blues are one of Louisville's great blues treasures. Headlining with an outstanding list of local talent, come listen to one of the best blues harp players in the country. Lamont grew up in Greasy Creek, KY, listening to Nashville radio station WLAC. After high school, Lamont played around Louisville in a couple of local blues bands. Eventually he moved to Chicago where he became the harmonica player for Lefty Dizz and the Chicago Blues Hounds. Upon his return to Louisville, he helped form the Stray Cat Band which played together for nine years. He is now performing with the 100 Proof Blues band.Joe DeBow Experience – Can't Walk Away by Joe DeBow
Joe DeBow (guitar, vocals & backing vocals), Danny Henderson (guitar), Donnie Bridges (bass), Lamont "Phatbeat" Melson (drums)
Joe DeBow is an accomplished singer/songwriter and a native son of Louisville. He has been performing since 1963 and he has appeared on several talent and television shows including the Nashville Network. In 1986, he was the winner of the Budweiser Star contest with his original song "Genuine." He has performed with Grammy winning artists Living Colour and Carla and Rufus Thomas and has opened shows for BB King, Koko Taylor, Bob Marley's Wailers, The Manhattans and the Chi-Lites. Joe's versatility as a solo artist with acoustic guitar, keyboards and harmonica has kept him in demand in the Louisville area. The Joe DeBow Experience is well known for its universal appeal to fans of all ages. In 2009, Joe was awarded the Sylvester Weaver Award by the Kentuckiana Blues Society.The KingBees – Blues Contusion by Rick Cain
Rick Cain (harmonica & vocals), Jim Haswell (guitar), Rob Brown (keyboards), Mike Taylor (bass), David Marasco (drums)
The KingBees are one of Louisville's hottest bands, playing butt-shaking, rocking blues throughout the region. Founded in 1988, the 'Bees have played most every venue in the area including several major blues festivals and have opened for headliners such as Albert King and Marsha Ball. The KingBees have release two albums. The first entitled Blues Contusion (2001) and the second Love Hasn't Killed Me Yet (2009). Both contain all original music. They are working on a third album entitled Hoodoo Moon that will be released before the end of 2013. The KingBees are renowned for their electric live shows, featuring an awesome guitar lead, sizzling keyboards and screaming harp work backed by a rhythm section second to none. The KingBees play at various venues in the region but home is Stevie Ray's in downtown Louisville where they play regularly and are sure to fill the house and have patrons on the dance floor all night long.Little T&A – Midnight's Almost Gone by Robert "Monk" Mackey (lyrics) and Little T&A (music)
Amy Johnson (vocals), Tony Tkac (guitar), Mark Hoekstra (harmonica), Doug Lamb (keyboards), Robert "Monk" Mackey (bass), Jeff McAllister (drums & percussion), Amy Johnson, Mark Hoekstra & Robert "Monk" Mackey (backing vocals)
Little T&A of Louisville won the KBS 2011 band contest and represented the blues society at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN. The band is quickly becoming one of Louisville’s premiere rhythm and blues bands. Formed in early 2010 by Tony Tkac (guitar) and Amy Johnson (vocals), they recruited old friends and band mates who just happened to be some of Louisville’s local legends. The band features Doug Lamb (keyboards), Mark Hoekstra (harmonica), Robert “Monk” Mackey (bass) and Jeff McAllister (drums). They only play what they love and you can tell by the heart and soul that they put into every song, they love what they play.
Jimi V & Screamin' John – Three Long Years by Screamin' John Hawkins
Screamin' John Hawkins (guitar), Jimi V (vocals)
Jimi V & Screamin’ John Hawkins have collaborated since 1992. Their performances consist mostly of blues standards but the duo’s knack for improvisation makes them sound like originals. “The song is not necessarily the message, the way our playing is the message,” Screamin’ John explains. Screamin’ picked up the guitar as a child from the blues and bluegrass musicians who frequented his father’s pawn shop. Vocalist/harmonica player Jimi V points to his friendship with renowned blues harpist Jim Rosen of da Mudcats as a major influence. These diverse backgrounds combine into one hard-edged musical outfit. “It’s not just straight up blues,” Jimi V warns. “There is a whole lot of attitude.”
