Meet the Riverfront Blues Festival 2018 Bands!

Mo Penny is an award winning Blues/Rock quartet from Missoula, Montana, formed in December 2015. Recently reforming and redefining their musical stylings to create a high energy, often funky, authentic Blues experience. Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, Christopher Gray brings his Beale St. influences, singing lead and combining a unique rhythmic style as well as, blistering lead guitar. From Reading, Pa., Charlie Hopkins has played and studied the Blues from all over the world. Singing high energy lead and providing impeccable tone on the Blues Harp. The Rhythm section is, Mark Price from Lancaster Pa. on Bass and sharing the vocal duties, and from Madrid, Spain, Antonio Alvarez on the drums. Antonio brings a world class background and the chops to match. Together creating grooves that keep you dancing!
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He’s been flying in the face of convention his whole career. No smoke, no mirrors, no choreography, no industry machines. One of the most versatile bluesmen in Texas, Randy plays driving drums and world-class harmonica, writes incredible songs and sings like no one else. Roustabout, maverick, spiritual, gritty, amazing, genius, wild, bad-ass, soulful… These are some of the words used to describe this Texas bonafide blue blood. A much revered, singer, songwriter, harmonica player and drummer. East Texas roadhouse soul by one of America’s true blues/roots originals.
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Bobby Messano is a legendary guitarist and Contemporary Blues Songwriter who has released eight Solo CD’s, placed songs in many TV and Cable shows and played on over 50 Major label and Indie albums. His playing has been heard on everything from MTV jingles to Benny Mardones’ smash hit “Into The Night”. The celebrated guitarist has played on records by Clarence Clemmons, Franke and The Knockouts, Joe Lynn Turner and STARZ, and produced the 60’s hit act, “THE SHADOWS OF KNIGHT”.
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Born and raised in Portland Oregon, Bryan has been playing gigs, recording, doing live radio, television and pleasing crowds for over 50 yrs. He recently wrote and produced the theme for the award winning Indi movie “Rum Runners” and in 2015 was inducted into the International Blues Hall of Fame as a “Master Blues Artist”. That same year he was given the Inland Empire Blues Society “Best Blues Slide Guitarist” award. His upbeat style is reminiscent of players like Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy and Johnny Winter all mixed with his own unique compositions and expression.
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Blue Moon Marquee is a Gypsy Blues band born of the wild rose country, Alberta. They currently make their home in an island shack on the coast of the Salish Sea, British Columbia. A.W. Cardinal (vocals/guitar) and Jasmine Colette a.k.a. Badlands Jass (vocals/bass/drums) write and perform original compositions influenced by anything that swings, jumps or grooves. Artists such as Lonnie Johnson, Louis Armstrong, Blind Willie Jonson, Charley Patton, Howlin’ Wolf, Screaming Jay Hawkins, Tom Waits, Memphis Minnie, and Django Reinhardt are deeply infused in the soul of their music.
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Amanda Fish began as a singer songwriter in late 2012, refining her original material as a solo act for 2 years before she formed her band in early 2014, a Roots Rock and Soul quintet featuring dual slide and rock guitars and Amanda’s signature ‘from-the-gut’ vocals locked into a sturdy groove. In 2015, she released her first LP, “Down In The Dirt”, on VizzTone Label Group, for which she was awarded the 2016 “Sean Costello Rising Star” Blues Blast Music Award. Amanda and her band set Beale Street on fire in the 2017 International Blues Challenge Semi Finals, playing new material slated for her next release.
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The Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike is a potent new blend of blues talent. The group pairs veteran Nashville guitarist Andy Talamantez with the dynamic San Francisco Bay area singer Michael A. Benjamin, aka Alabama Mike. Benjamin makes his recording debut with the Andy T Band on the group’s fourth album, Double Strike. To be released June 16, Double Strike features Benjamin singing half of the songs and Nick Nixon singing the other half. Double Strike presents the Andy T Band at its best, before and after Nixon left the group in 2016 due to health issues.
The performers’ credit for Double Strike goes to the Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike with special guests Nick Nixon and Anson Funderburgh. Co-producer and guest guitarist Funderburgh will also join the band for its 2017 summer tour. Previous Andy T Band albums produced by Funderburgh earned Blues Music Awards nominations and Blues Blast Awards nominations.
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Shaw Davis is quickly becoming an artist to watch in Contemporary Blues-Rock. He’s a fast and flashy player whose approach rests equally on technical assurance and musical intelligence. Born April 4, 1995, the young guitarist has burst his way onto the Blues-Rock scene and is already known for his raw and emotional style. Backed by long-time friend, drummer Bobby Van Stone and bassist Patrick Stevenson, Shaw Davis and The Black Ties feature their own brand of Psychedelic Blues-Rock that continues to win over fans and crowds of all ages. The group released their debut album on June 14, 2017 and played a sold-out release concert at The Funky Biscuit in Boca Raton, Florida.The album has been receiving steady airplay on blues/rock radio stations in the United States as well as the UK.
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Saturday will come to a smashing close you won’t want to miss from 11:00 pm to 1 am! To finish off an amazing weekend of blues and brews, members of bands from throughout the weekend will be participating in a mind-blowing All-Star Jam!
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