An evening of uptown horns and low-down
groves scheduled for
Sat., Nov. 14
"High Point, North Carolina – Fatback funk. Blistering blues.
Uptown horns and low-down grooves. Creative, fun and interactive with their
audience, Blinddog Smokin’ is a soulful, funky 7-piece show band with a deep
and original American repertoire incorporating rock, blues, gospel and soulful
stylings. A 2015 Grammy nominee for Best Blues Album with their latest work Decisions (billed as Bobby Rush with
Blinddog Smokin’), the group once dubbed the “Ultimate
Road Warriors” by Southland Blues Magazine will settle in at the High Point
Theatre just long enough for a single live performance on Saturday, November
14, at 8:00 pm.
The earliest origins of the band probably began in 1962 at the Pic-a-Rib
Café in Laramie, Wyoming, where a young Carl Gustafson had run away from home
and took refuge with his African-American schoolmate. Carl learned to
appreciate the blues on the jukebox which the café owner, Miss Peggy Stith, danced
to and loved. Gustafson and Jason Cooms, a heavy metal rocker, formed Bluestone for the sole purpose of
entering a contest for blues bands sponsored by the Department of Defense. Well
received by the armed forces personnel because of the blended influences that
mixed heart and energy and came up a loud, full out, metal blues, it was a gig
at BB King’s club that led to their first big break, a spot on the main stage
at the prestigious King Biscuit Blues Festival. The original incarnation of Blinddog Smokin' was formed in 1994 with front
man, singer, and harmonica player Carl Gustafson and drummer/vocalist Chicago
Chuck Gullen. Today the band is composed of bassist Roland Bacon who joined in
2003, keyboardist Mo Beeks who joined in 2009, backup singer Chris White who
joined in 2010, and finally guitarist Chalo Ortiz and backup singer Linda
Gustafson who both joined in 2013.
Over the past
two decades, Blinddog Smokin’ has averaged around 200 gigs annually, recorded
eight albums, produced forty-one original songs, played every conceivable venue, from Mississippi
juke joints to tours throughout Europe and the Mediterranean – including three times on
the main stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, twice on the main stage at
the Tulsa Blues Festival, and as the house band for the Snowy Range Blues
Festival for six consecutive years – and gigged with iconic blues artists Dr. John, Bobby Rush, Macy
Gray and more. In addition to their 2015 Grammy nomination for Best Blues
Album, the band received the 2015 Blues Music Award nomination for
Song of the Year ("Another Murder in New Orleans" written by Carl
Gustafson, Donny Markowitz, performed by: Dr. John, Bobby Rush, Blinddog
Smokin'),was a 2015 nominee for Best Soul Blues Album (Memphis, TN), 2014 Blues
Blast Music Award winner for Best Soul Blues Album, and 2014 Best of the Beat
Award winner for Best Blues Album.
“Blinddog
Smokin’ will be one of the most exciting musical groups we have ever had grace
the stage at this Theatre,” says High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “Music,
costumes and audience interaction will guarantee a great time is had by all.” Tickets are $30-$35, available at the
box office by calling (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com."
- A Press Release
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