Smokin' Blues, Sizzlin' Hot Ribs, & More!
As Ohio's only Blues & Rib festival, this year's entertainment lineup is sure to please! From solid rockin' electric blues to traditional acoustic performances, there's something sure to satisfy even the most discriminating blues fan continuously flowing from two stages throughout the two-day event!
9:30pm-11:00pm
Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
Whether he’s squeezing out the deepest blues or playing the funkiest soul grooves, legendary blues and soul giant Tommy Castro knows how to ignite a crowd. Over the course of his still-unfolding career, the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter has released 15 albums ranging from horn-fueled soul and R&B to piping hot blues to fiery rock ‘n’ roll. He’s performed all over the world, earning countless fans with his legendary, sweat-drenched, exhilarating live shows. Castro’s band, The Painkillers—bassist Randy McDonald, drummer Bowen Brown and keyboardist Michael Emerson—have now been playing together over four years.
After hundreds of live shows, they have coalesced into one of the telepathically tightest units Castro has ever assembled, making them one of the most in-demand live roots music acts performing today. Billboard says the band plays “irresistible contemporary blues-rock” with “street-level grit and soul.”
8:00pm-9:15pm
Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers
In a recent review, Guitar Player Magazine stated, "...Sounds like Elmore James and Houndog Taylor tempered with the rowdiness of George Thorogood." Canal Winchester Blues and Ribfest could not agree more, and very proudly welcomes back Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers!
Having completed several tours of Europe, Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers played packed venues, leaving fans screaming, chanting, and stomping for more and demanding as many as five encores!
Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers have been performing their brand of low down, gutsy blues and red hot rock'n'roll for many years, leaving a trail of scorched stages and satisfied fans! Please welcome back Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers.
6:30pm-7:30pm
Pam Taylor & The Flyin' V's
As one of the best up and coming representatives of one of the truly great genres in American Music, Blues, Miss Pam Taylor is catching fire crafting a modern take complete with roots, country, and reggae influences – a unique blues approach that showcases Taylor’s turbulent past, but maintains and presents the belief that things are going to get better. Pam turned to the Blues as part of her own healing process – between addiction, injury, and depression, this fantastic guitarist and vocalist found her way through music, guided by Blues woman Debbie Davies, who toured with Albert Collins in the late 80’s.
Pam, a South Carolina native, first hit the scene like a meteor in 2012 with her debut record, Hot Mess. She’s grown considerably since then, and today she’s touring internationally with her brand new released collection, titled Steal Your Heart and will be in the studio this Spring recording for new upcoming release with her latest project, The Flyin' V's.
5:00pm-6:00pm:
Mitchell Project
The Mitchell Project, comprised on talented, local, seasoned musicians, brothers Steve and Mark Mitchell, and Gene "Big Daddy" Richards on vocals. Gene's powerful vocals have been a staple of the local music scene since the 1960's!
Returning to the opening time slot for this years Blues and Rib fest, we're excited to welcome them back to kick off 2019!
9:30pm - 11:00pm
Dana Fuchs
Dana Fuchs is a phenomenon, a singer whose mesmerizing voice and presence, has led critics to compare her to Rock legends from Janis to Jagger. Fittingly, she appeared in the off-Broadway production “Love, Janis.” The multi-talented singer songwriter stars in one of the most talked-about cult films, “Across The Universe,” where she has a major presence both in the film, and on the soundtrack. Perhaps Stereophile Magazine said it best, “Imagine a sultry, more emotive Janis Joplin, backed by a higher energy version of the late 60s Rolling Stones… Rock n’ Roll doesn’t get any better.” Dana is currently on a world tour in support of her highly acclaimed album "Love Lives On" (Get Along Records 2018)
Dana's music are shaped by emotional extremes and delivered with raw emotion.
On Love Lives On, the songs are the stars. The album opens in commanding style with Backstreet Baby, driven by grooving guitars, a spring-heeled horn section and a savagely beautiful vocal telling of a woman with “nothing to lose”. Cuts don’t come funkier than Ain’t Nobody’s Fault But Mine, while Callin’ Angels fuses upbeat gospel with a poignant lyric. “It has a verse for each family member,” explains Dana. “It’s become a song of conjuring our loved ones in our hearts at every show.”
7:30pm - 9:00pm
Chris Cain
Chris Cain offers up a soulful stew of Memphis style electric blues. His powerfully deep vocals and jazz inspired, blues guitar riffs are unforgettable; uniquely his own, while reminiscent of the legendary BB King and Albert King. As a child, Chris Cain attended concerts with his dad to hear many of the great blues artists of the time. When Cain burst onto the blues scene in 1987 with his award winning debut album, he soon found himself sharing the stage and trading licks with a few of those legends, including Albert King and Albert Collins. Chris Cain has released a dozen albums, each filled with soul-stirring songs pulled from his own blues drenched heart. His brand of blues is unforgettable.
At the age of eight, Cain taught himself to play guitar and began playing professionally before he was eighteen. Chris studied music at San Jose City College, and was soon teaching jazz improvisation on campus. Over the next twenty years, Cain would also master piano, bass guitar, clarinet, alto and tenor saxophone. The combination of his blues upbringing and his jazz studies melded to form the searing guitar style that sets Chris Cain apart and has moved him to the top ranks of the blues music scene.
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Biscuit Miller
Biscuit and his band, The Mix, have been touring extensively ever since he won his first BMA in 2012 followed by a second BMA for Best Bass Player in 2017. Biscuit is known for his high energy shows and blazing million dollar smile. He is a born entertainer and is at home on the stage where he connects with his audience through a fun and funky approach to the blues. But don’t let the fun and food songs fool you! This is a dedicated group of musicians with an amazing depth of talent.
Biscuit Miller has graced the covers of several publications, including the Blues Festival Guide and Big City Rhythm & Blues. In 2012 he was awarded his first Blues Music Award following the release of his second studio recording, “Blues With A Smile”. Having received wide air play on Sirius XM Radio, “Blues With A Smile” is aptly named, as Biscuit is known around the world for his huge, heartfelt smile as well as his antics as a funky bassist turned front man.
3:30pm - 5:00pm
Noah Wotherspoon
The Noah Wotherspoon Band hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. In 2015, Wotherspoon received the Best Guitarist Award at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN and the band placed 2nd in the Finals. Since the competition, they have performed around the world, from the New York State Blues Fest in Syracuse, to the Reykjavik Blues Fest in Iceland, and an Eastern European Tour. The band’s debut studio album “Mystic Mud” was presented a “Jimi Award” for Best Blues/Rock Album of the Year by Jimi Patricola of Blues411.
1:30pm - 3:00pm
Willie Phoenix
Willie Phoenix has been described as "a raging guitarist with a ton of attitude." Whether he’s playing haunting blues, straight forward rock, garage band noise or psychedelic fusion – Willie Phoenix delivers. Willie’s career has spanned decades - and so has his passion - never failing to deliver jaw-dropping performances with an undeniable edge. Willie has worked clubs and concert halls from Toronto Canada to New York City to the west coast neon lights of Hollywood.
He’s performed with many greats, including Muddy Waters, BB King, rock n’ roll’s Ramones, The Talking Heads, The Raspberries, Joan Jett, Buddy Guy, John Lee Hooker, Tinsley Ellis, Buckwheat Zydeco, Joan Armatrading and Bryan Adams...to name just a few. Willie's band includes Steven Day Carter on drums and Chuck Birchfield on bass. "Dare to imagine Jimi, Santana, Cream, the Stones and the Beatles all in one voice and ten fingers, and you already love Willie Phoenix." - Midnight Blues Radio
12:00pm - 1:00pm
Michael Locke
Michael Locke was raised in South Florida and began playing guitar when he was seven. Michael’s father was a jazz aficionado and saturated Michael with the genius of artists such as Lester Young, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt and, Michael’s mentors – Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio.
He moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s and fell under the tutelage of his now close friend and longtime bluesman, Johnny Nitro, who has since passed away. Thanks to Johnny’s encouragement, Michael developed his own style and set off on his own to front an electric blues trio.
Michael has played his blistering yet soulful guitar from coast to coast. He has performed with or opened for the likes of BB King, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, W.C. Clark, CoCo Montoya, Sonny Rhodes, Walter Trout, Ben E. King, Del Shannon, Little Anthony, Jimmy Johnson,Tommy Castro, Otis Rush and Chuck Berry.
