Chris Duarte Group: To classify Chris Duarte simply as a Blues Man is an understatement.  In his own words, “rockin’ blues” or ”punk blues” describes him best.  “Ferocious blues” also fits.  Legend has it that Chris will play so hard that his fingers bleed in a set.  The legend is true.  Photos attest.  Chris Duarte is a road warrior playing more than 150 dates a year.  As well, Chris has headlined major festivals and clubs throughout the US, Canada and Europe.  He has shared his stage with many of the greatest musicians of our time as well as the multitude of “young lions” and local musicians he meets on the road.  The Chris Duarte Group emerged on the scene out of Austin, Texas in the early 90’s and gained notoriety after wowing a packed room of industry insiders at the South X Southwest convention. In the wake of Stevie Ray Vaughan’s passing, Duarte quickly gained a national reputation as young man imbued with a playing style comparable at times to the late guitarist. After fielding interest from a number of labels, Duarte signed to Silvertone Records and released his debut album “Texas Sugar/Strat Magik”.   Sixteen albums later, Chris Duarte has just released Ain’t Giving Up, and when you see him live, you will agree he will do nothing of the sort.

Sugar Ray Norcia: Singer, harp man and three time Grammy Nominee Sugar Ray Norcia’s career kicked into high gear in 1979 when he formed the original Sugar Ray and the Bluetones with guitar giant Ronnie Earl and it has stayed there ever since.  Norcia has received a total of twenty two Blues Music Award Nominations including winning two Blues Music Awards in 2014 and has appeared on over sixty albums.  In 2012 Ray was inducted into Rhode Island’s Music Hall of Fame.  Also in 2016 Sugar Ray and his band The Bluetones released a CD called “Seeing Is Believing”.  Sugar Ray was nominated for an unprecedented seven 2017 Blues Music Awards including Traditional Blues Male Artist and B.B. King Entertainer of the Year!

Duke Robillard: Born Michael John Robillard on October 4, 1948, in Woonsocket, R.I., Duke has carved out one of blues' most illustrious legacies, while also trodding some lofty related territories as a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, bandleader, studio sideman, producer, label operator and educator.  After showing an early affinity for music and guitar, he founded Roomful Of Blues with pianist Al Copley in Westerly, R.I., in 1967.  His unsurpassed mastery of the guitar style of T-Bone Walker (later crystallized memorably in his 2004 release "Blue Mood") was deservedly heralded, but his breadth was also head-turning - from swing, standards and ballads to rockers, gutbucket Chicago blues and rockabilly.  Duke's resume is decorated with Grammy nominations, Handy Awards and Blues Music Awards, and other honors for his artistry, recordings and productions within the United States and internationally. On his latest release, "Duke Robillard and his Dames of Rhythm" on M.C. Records, he wields an acoustic archtop and joins six thrushes for evocative and enjoyable renditions of 1920s and 1930s swing tunes; it's a worthy successor to his 2016 BMA-winning "The Acoustic Blues And Roots Of Duke Robillard."

The Wicked Lo-Down: Comprised of Nick David (harmonica), Paul Size, Jeff Berg (guitar), Brad Hallen (bass) and Nick Toscano (drums), The Wicked Lo-Down has been delivering Texas Blues with an East Coast Attitude all across New England and New York. Their latest album, We Hot, was released in mid-2022. The Wicked Lo-Down is a staple of the New England Winter Blues Festival, sharing the stage with the likes of Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson, Curtis Salgado, Nick Moss, Sonya Rae Taylor and Mike Zito over the past several years. The Wicked Lo-Down has just released their new album, Out Of Line, available on Gulf Coast Records.

One Dime Band: 2022 winner of the Boston Blues Society Blues Challenge and 2023 winner of the Granite State Blues Society Blues Challenge.  Paul and John’s love of American Roots music started in New York State where they first met in High School, teaching each other Chuck Berry and Buddy Holly songs at the age of fifteen.   Musical fate led them to Boston, MA in 1986 forming a Blues band called The Roadhouse Sheiks and playing live extensively into the early nineties. The two eventually went on to pursue separate musical endeavors, ultimately reuniting as a duo in early 2000, focusing on acoustic Blues.   In June of 2017, after more than 2 years of writing, recording, and mixing, they released their debut album of twelve original songs, Gonna Take Sweet Time, on their own label, Toneblanket Records. Hoodoo & Holy Water, their follow up album. Engineered and co-produced by Rob Ignazio, released in February of 2020, it received notable recognition, including Blues Music Fan Radio’s Top 20 albums of the year and Blues Music and Metronome Magazine’s Top 20 lists of 2020.

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