2023 Artist Line Up
Walter Trout
We welcome back one of our favorite performers! Walter played for our 2015 Blues & Funk Fest and blew the doors off the place!
As long-standing Trout fans know, California has been the bluesman’s home for 47 years. Trout joined John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers lineup in ’85, before embarking on an acclaimed solo career from ’89 onwards. But before that came his chaotic, self-destructive years as a jobbing lead guitarist, whether for revered-but-tricky blues pioneers like John Lee Hooker and Big Mama Thornton, or an unhinged tenure in an ’80s Canned Heat line-up controlled by the Hell’s Angels. Trout’s well-documented excess in this era was darker than a young rock star cutting loose. It could all be traced back to his troubled childhood in New Jersey, he explains, where an unstable stepfather – himself the victim of shocking cruelty as a prisoner of war – was a terrifying presence. As 'Ride', his latest album took form, such memories couldn’t help but flavor the music. “This album is obviously what I was going through mentally and emotionally,” he considers. “All I did was express it. I spent a lot of time crying, because I would dig down into my emotional core. I want my songs to have some sort of truth to them.”
Some memories that Trout examines on 'Ride' are long-distant but eternally poignant. Try the deceptively upbeat title track, another song that began as a poem, recounting the locomotive that rattled past his childhood home each night and enticed him to freight-hop to freedom. “That song is about what it felt like to lay there in bed and dream about escaping on that train. I also wanted to express that music has always been another sort of virtual escape for me.”
The stormy “Hey Mama”; takes inspiration from the same period, with Trout debating whether his trauma could have been averted. “I’m not pissed off with my mom and I love her memory,” he says, “but my wife says, ‘Your mom probably could have done more to protect you from your stepdad’. Yeah, maybe she could have. But it’s easy to say that looking back.”
Walter Trout is the beating heart of the modern blues rock scene. Respected by the old guard. Revered by the young guns. Adored by the fans who shake his hand after the show each night, and after five decades in the game, Trout remains a talismanic figure.
But, however fast or far a man travels, he can never truly outrun his past. On the new album he found himself eyeing the horizon and the green shoots of his triumphant late career. There was a new record deal with Mascot/Provogue. A temporary move from California to Denmark to be with his beloved family. Even now, aged 72, Trout was still writing fresh chapters of his life story.
By now, Trout knows that nobody ever really leaves their old selves behind. But with 'Ride' providing an emotional release-valve – both for its creator and his loyal listeners – perhaps this veteran artist can reconcile with his past, accept his future and live in the present as it unfolds. “I think you can interpret this album title a few different ways,” he concludes. “I mean, this album is definitely a musical ride and I certainly tried to cover a lot of ground. But, really, life is kind of a ride too, isn’t it? And I want to live mine to the fullest.”
Corey Stevens
Corey played our 2016 Blues & Funk Fest - we welcome back this great blues artist!
Corey Stevens' 10th album, "The Party's Gonna Go On" is a collection of 10 new original songs written by Stevens and recorded with the backing of musicians whose credits include Eric Clapton, Tom Petty, Albert Lee, Jonny Lang, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh. The material is as diverse as that list of artists, but surprisingly forms a cohesive collection of songs that flow from beginning to end in a way best described as a nostalgic experience when music fans listened to a complete album only interrupted when forced to turn the LP over for side 2. The guitar driven songs, a common thread in all of Stevens' offerings beginning with "Blue Drops of Rain (1995)" harken the days when guitar was king and terrestrial radio was buzzing with diverse music. Standouts include the SRV inspired "Sad Blue Eyes", "Special Blend" - an instrumental best described as The Allman Brothers meet Jeff Beck's Blow By Blow, and "Golden Son", a heartfelt tribute to the loss of a musician and maybe a metaphor for music today.
This album features Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty, Eric Clapton) on drums, Will MacGregor (Albert Lee, Tori Amos) on bass, Danny Grenier (Glenn Frey) on rhythm guitar, Bruce McCabe (Jonny Lang) on keyboards, Kori Lynn Stevens on bass and mixed by Eric Thorngren (Robert Palmer, Talking Heads). Combining the influences of 50's blues (Muddy Waters), 60's guitar icons (Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton) with 70's classic studio productions, Stevens takes the the listener on an eclectic journey that sounds like a compilation album of diverse styles but manages to form a cohesive listening experience.
ABOUT
Formed the band Texas Flood in 1994 performing the roles of guitarist, singer, and songwriter along with bassist Will MacGregor and drummer Dave Salinas. Their first album together was “Blue Drops of Rain” and it became a classic.
BEFORE FAME
His story is a true American Dream story, one where he took a chance and moved to Los Angeles to try and make it in the music industry while working multiple day jobs to pay the bills.
TRIVIA
He was signed by Eureka Records in 1995 and has continuously worked on making albums, releasing his 10th album "The Party's Gonna Go On" in August of 2018.
FAMILY LIFE
His grandfather put his first guitar in his hands and he grew up with two older sisters. His daughter was born in 1988 and she eventually grew up to play the keyboard and sing harmonies alongside her father.
ASSOCIATED WITH
When first starting his band Texas Flood, he limited their playlist to artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Buddy Guy among others.
Mick Sterling and The Stud Brothers
Mick Sterling and The Stud Brothers played our 2017 Blues & Funk Fest.
Mick Sterling & the Stud Brothers have been one of the most popular R&B attractions in the Twin Cities music scene for more than a decade. The band, born in 1988, started out playing the great songs by Tower Of Power, James Brown, Etta James, Wilson Pickett, and other soul and R&B greats. They decided to put together a ten-piece band, with 5 horns, which at that time no one was doing. They also proposed an unusual idea of playing on Sunday nights at Bunker's (a popular club in Minneapolis), a night not usually known for live music. Within a year, Mick had lines of fans stringing out the door, sometimes in the dead of winter, to come and see this remarkably refreshing act. Through his nearly 35 years of leading the band, Mick has also proven to be a strong supporter of his community. For several years in the 90's Mick was instrumental in putting together a string of successful benefits to help raise money for Camp Heartland, the nations largest summer camp for children living with HIV/AIDS at that time. His benefit, Heart & Soul, turned into the largest fund-raiser in the nation for Camp Heartland. Mick continues his philanthropic efforts as the founder and director of The 30-Days Foundation, a Minnesotan charity helping families in financial crisis. Mick Sterling and The Stud Brothers continue to be one of the most powerful soul and R&B bands in the region.
The Jellybean Johnson Experience
Jellybean Johnson is the drummer of the Prince created band “The Time”. Jellybean is one of the architects of a unique blend of music that was created in Minnesota and called the Minneapolis Sound.
Jellybean’s resume includes drummer/guitarist/writer/engineer/producer for both local and national talent including creating a number one pop song for Janet Jackson, “Black Cat.” Billboard’s Critic’s Picks ranked “Black Cat” as Janet Jackson’s best song of all time in 2017.
In 1980 Prince united members of Flyte Tyme, of which Jellybean was a member, and Grand Central to form the band, The Time. Jellybean has been their drummer ever since. The Time toured with Prince and went on to be the rival band in the film “Purple Rain”. Prince also formed a band called The Family using Jellybean as it’s drummer yet again.
Jellybean also wrote, produced and played on many songs by nationally known artists during his time at Flyte Tyme Studios in Minneapolis including Patti LaBelle, Nona Hendryx, New Edition, Alexander O’Neal, Mint Condition, and the Human League.
As a guitarist Jellybean has lent his playing to many songs and recordings and plays nationally in the Blues circuit.
Locally, in the Twin Cities, you will see Jellybean most nights of the week sitting in with local artists and in his own band, The Jellybean Johnson Experience. The Jellybean Johnson Experience also presents several shows each year promoting and performing with up and coming bands and artists.
The Jellybean Johnson Experience put out a single in 2018 called “Put Some Jelly On It’ and released another “Let Me Shine On” in 2019.
Jellybean is the recipient of twenty Gold and Platinum albums, Minnesota Music Awards, Minnesota Black Music Awards, and ASCAP Awards. In 2014 he was honored for his long time work as a drummer with a special Local Legends Award.
Jellybean’s custom made suit jacket that he wore in the film “Purple Rain” was donated to the Minnesota History Museum securing his place in the history of Minneapolis music for all time.
Twin Cities Women of The Blues
Kendra Glenn & Lisa Wenger
Kendra Glenn is a native of Chicago IL, the product of a musical family, and realized her gift of singing at the tender age of 10 when she began singing in the church choir.
It was one fateful day when she sang a soul-stirring rendition of “I love Jesus” that it became evident to not only herself but to family and friends alike that this “Diva: was destined to perform. And that she has done. Kendra moved to the Twin cities in the early 90’s and has definitely made herself a household name on the entertainment scene, her rich soulful tone and vocal styling are undeniable. She’s definitely the “real deal”. Throughout her 23 years of performing she’s been a studio session singer for Andy Kotz productions and also the well-known Pachyderm studios. She’s worked with several local bands here in the cities as well, which currently includes her own band KGB (Kendra Glenn Band). She’s worked with Nicholas David Mrozinski and the feeling band (3rd winner up on the Voice) R-Factor formerly Rupert’s Orchestra, Brian Kinney Band and countless others. She has also sang backgrounds for National recording artist such as: Scott Holt, former blues guitarist for Buddy Guy, Prince’s protégés, Sue Ann Carwell, also Marvin “One” Gunn member of The Mazarati Band, Joaquin “Quino” Whinny from the Reggae band Big Mountain, Jimi Behringer former guitarist to Prince, Laura Brannigan, Jeff Lorber and Bobby Caldwell, and Mr. Andre Fischer Grammy award winning writer and producer for Rufus and Chaka Khan, and Senior VP for MCA records. She’s also opened up for National recording acts such as Blues sensation Bernard Allison, Rolls Royce, Dazz Band, and Cameo. Kendra has certainly left an indelible mark as being one of Minneapolis’ top female vocalists!
Lisa Wenger has performed as a beloved staple of the Minneapolis/St. Paul music scene, delighting audiences with her sweet-yet gritty vocals and captivating mix of North Dakota roots paired with and affinity for the soulful sound of the Deep South. The honest and soulful Wenger has also brought her funked-up, stripped-down, wall shakin’ blend of blues-based American roots music to audiences across the nation. Her appeal is broad enough to entertain a variety of crowds, and Wenger wins them all over, be it at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, the famous Surf Ballroom , the Bitter End in NYC, the Hard Rock in Vegas, or at BB Kings in Orlando on the blues circuit.
Born to musical parents, (the locals deemed her Father “Old Golden Throat” and her Mother sings in the church choir to this day) her early training came in the form of the “Grease” Soundtrack. But all things changed once Wenger studied classical, rock, jazz, and blues music.
Lisa and the Lisa Wenger Band have sealed their reputation as a crowd pleasing outfit. The set list can range from rocking blues classics including Koko Taylor, Bonnie Raitt and Lucinda Williams, to reworked rockabilly rave-ups, contemporary soul and New Orleans R & B.
Wenger has shared the stage with celebrities like Jim Belushi, Robert Cray, Leon Russel, and Pinetop Perkins, as well has recorded back-up vocals for many artists, including singer/ songwriter Bruce McCabe (Jonny Lang).
She enjoys performing for community events and festivals all over the world. She leads the way for other female singers with a variety of “Woman who Rock” and “Chick Singer Night” concerts.
Wenger’s self released albums include “Can’t Stop the Girl” (2008),“Publicly” Raw (2010), and "Simple As That" (2014).
