Get ready to party! The Greeley Blues Jam has announced the lineup for the 2020 music festival on June 13th. The Greeley Blues Jam is proud to announce that Vintage Trouble will be the headliner at the 16th annual event.
VINTAGE TROUBLE – Since forming in 2010, Vintage Trouble have quietly become rock 'n' roll's and Blues best kept secret anointed by its very gods on international tours in every corner of the globe. Distilling swaggering rock, soulful blues, R&B (rhythm& blues) grooves, and pop ambition into a bold and brash brew, the quartet—Ty Taylor [vocals], Nalle Colt [guitar], Rick Barrio Dill [bass], and Richard Danielson [drums]—have logged 3,000 shows across 30 countries on tour with divinities such as The Who, The Rolling Stones, AC/DC, Lenny Kravitz, and Bon Jovi, to name a few. Along the way, they also performed on Later... with Jools Holland, Jimmy Kimmel LIVE!, Conan, The View, and The Tonight Show (four times in one year!) in addition to receiving acclaim from New York Times, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, Rolling Stone, and more. We are honored to have Vintage Trouble on our stage and the GBJ audience will be blown away by the energy and excitement of their performance.
RONNIE BAKER BROOKS – Brooks, 49, was born in Chicago, and started playing guitar around age six. At 19, he joined his father, Lonnie Brooks who by then had influenced some of the most well-known bluesman of our history: Jimmy Reed, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Johnny Winter, and Junior Wells. Ronnie Baker Brooks is blues royalty. The son of blues guitar legend Lonnie Brooks, you would think growing up in the shadows of a blues icon would create undo pressure to be yourself on stage. Not this bluesman. He embraces the challenges that comes with the last name with honor and passion, and adds credence to the moniker, First Family of Blues. His particular style of Chicago blues has been performed on stages around the world. It honors the true torch bearers of this unique sound which includes Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, Luther Allison and his father. This will be his second appearance at the GBJ, the first coming in 2009.
SOUTHERN AVENUE –Southern Avenue combines the talents of a prodigiously talented set of young musicians who bring their individual backgrounds to the table to create music that carries the Southern soul legacy into the 21st century, spanning the band members' wide-ranging musical interests while showcasing the powerful chemistry and electrifying live show that they've honed through extensive stage and studio experience. The seeds for Southern Avenue's birth were first planted when Ori Naftaly, who'd grown up in Israel with a deep-rooted passion for American soul, blues and funk, came to Memphis in 2013 to compete in the prestigious International Blues Challenge. Although his talents were embraced by American audiences, Naftaly felt constrained in his own band, feeling the need to embrace a more expansive musical vision. That opportunity arrived when he met Tierinii Jackson, who'd gotten her start singing in church, before performing in a series of cover bands and theatrical projects. Despite not having a record deal at the time, Southern Avenue quickly found success touring in America and Europe. They won additional attention playing some high-profile festivals, including the 2018 Greeley Blues Jam. Southern Avenue has just been nominated for a Grammy for the best Contemporary Blues Album. The Ori Naftaly Band first played the GBJ in 2014 and Southern Avenue was on stage in 2017. We consider them part of the GBJ family and are honored to have them back on our stage again in 2020
JIMMY HALL – Jimmy Hall was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in Mobile by a musical family steeped in gospel tradition. Jimmy Hall first gained notoriety as the lead vocalist, saxophonist, and harmonica player for the band Wet Willie, which emerged from Mobile, Alabama in 1970. His unique brand of R&B-infused rock and roll swagger propelled the group's "Keep On Smilin' " to the Top 10 on the Billboard singles chart in 1974. His songs have been recorded by Gregg Allman, The Marshall Tucker Band, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Blackberry Smoke, Johnny Russell, and others. Additionally, Jimmy has been a vocalist and bandleader for Hank Williams, Jr. since the 1980s. Jimmy is an inductee of both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. Additionally, Jimmy Hall, has toured as a vocalist with Jeff Beck's US Tour over the years. According to Jeff Beck's Website, Hall is referred to as "A Southern Boy with Lots of Soul." Jimmy is no stranger to Colorado and there is a reason, his fans love him there! On December 3, 2017 the Colorado Blues Society awarded Jimmy with its Member's Choice "Creighton Holly Awards" Favorite National Performer and for Favorite Live Moment as a result of voting by the CBS members. Jimmy last played the GBJ in 2015 and stole the show with his signature "Keep on Smiling".
JOHNNY SANSONE – Johnny Sansone led the life of an itinerant bluesman, traveling around the country from temporary bases in Colorado, Austin, Florida and Chicago before settling down in New Orleans in 1990. Johnny's newest recording, HOPELAND, was produced by Anders Osborne, and features the North Mississippi Allstars. Offbeat Magazine's review of HOPELAND praises Johnny for his instrumental prowess, particularly on harmonica and accordion, as well as his songwriting and bandleader talent. Sansone, who wrote the breathtaking blues "The Lord Is Waiting and the Devil is Too". To this day it's hard for Sansone to get through a gig without a fan calling out for "that Devil song!" "The Lord Is Waiting and the Devil is too" was named Song of the Year at the Blues Music Awards. This will be Johnnie's second appearance having played at the 2nd annual Greeley Blues Fest in 2006. We welcome him back. Sansone will also be the featured performer on Friday, June 12th at the Kickoff Party on the 9th Stree Plaza in Historic Downtown Greeley.
ERICA BROWN & THE CAST IRON QUEENS – The Cast Iron Queens is a vibrant, joyful expression of American Music, that is a new and exciting melting pot of Jazz, Soul, Blues and Country that is sure to take you to Higher Ground! The Queens say "Our Mission is to Showcase The Richness and Diversity of our Tapestry of Talents"!! If being moved is your goal, the Cast Iron Queens are your vehicle!!
The Cast Iron Queens are:
Erica Brown, (Vocalist, 2013 International Blues Challenge Winner, 2019 Colorado Blues Society Lifetime Achievement Award Winner) Erica Brown has played the GBJ numerous times including the very first show in 2005 and many performances on the Friday Night Kickoff Parties in Downtown Greeley. We really couldn't do a GBJ without her!
Sally Van Meter, (Grammy-Winning Dobro, Guitar, Lap Steel, and Vocalist)
Melissa Ivey, (Award Winning Bass and Vocalist - "The Musical Doula")
Merrian Johnson (Vocals and Percussion, Telluride Blues Festival Challenge Winner)
Emily Nelson, (Drummer, Percussionist and Keyboardist, Vocalist and Award-Winning Mixed Media Artist)
KERRY PASTINE & THE CRIME SCENE – Kerry Pastine has spent her life bringing her own brand of classic sounds, styles and fashion to her songwriting and live performances. From the big band jump blues of The Informants, to the edgy rockabilly blues of the first two Crime Scene records Let's Do This Thing and Bad Magic Baby, Kerry has redefined what vintage music means in the new millennium. Through years of experience, Kerry found a unique voice and with that evolution, she challenged herself to write and record an album that captures the essence of evolution, change and growth, from both within and without. This will be Kerry's third appearance at the GBJ, first in 2010 and again in 2016. She and the Crime Scene are coming back because the crowd loves them!
THE MOVERS AND SHAKERS - The Movers & Shakers are a dynamic collaboration of family and friends. Their live performances have become the stuff of legend in the Rocky Mountain region. The band's energy and chemistry are the result of longstanding friendships and family members. Each member is either related or has one or more friendships in the group which date back a decade or more. Their style is Blues, rock and soul straight from the heart. They come to play! The Movers and Shakers played the 2017 GBJ along with vocalist Erica Brown
THE GRACE KUCH BAND - Whether fronting a band or sitting in with musical heavyweights, Grace Kuch conveys a rare ease and instinct on blues guitar. Just 16, she's already distinguished herself nationally playing renowned venues across the U.S., including the Memphis International Blues Challenge, the King Biscuit Blues Festival, Big Blues Bender, the Greeley Blues Jam in 2016 when she was called up to play with Luther Dickinson and again in 2018 when she shared the stage with the legendary Ronnie Earl and Duane Betts, and more. True to her name, she moves gracefully within traditional blues compositions on both acoustic and electric guitar, while her distinctive solos convey the keen clarity of a gifted young artist on the rise—and eager for more.
*all the above information was obtained from the various Artists web pages.
The Greeley Blues Jam will kick off on Friday, June 12th in Downtown Greeley for a party you don't want to miss. Music on the street from 5-9pm, followed by the best of Colorado blues bands in 18 different venues. Johnnie Sansone, great longtime New Orleans multi-instrumentalist and award-winning singer and his band will be playing at the Friday Kick-off show at 7:00 PM on the 9th Street Plaza stage. Opening the Friday night show at 5:00 will be some great Colorado Blues musicians to be named later.
2020 Greeley Blues Jam Ticket Outlets
• Call 970-356-7787 or visit the Greeley Stampede Ticket Office in Island Grove Park at 600 North 14th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80631, open Monday through Friday from 10am-4pm.
• Online at www.greeleybluesjam.org
• Any Colorado King Soopers location
Call TicketsWest 24/7 at 866-464-2626 or online at ticketswest.com
Tickets for Saturday, June 13 at the Greeley Blues Jam are $30. Tickets prices increase the day of the event to $40. This is an all-day pass to the festival. Camping opportunities are available through the ticket office.
More to Come!
Stay tuned for more information about our Whiskey & Cigar Tasting, Craft Beer Sampling, BBQ Contest, sod purchasing and more!
Photo Cred: Getty Images
Content Cred: Greeley Blues Jam Press Release