Sugar Ray & the Bluetones *OLD*
1-9-2015
BIG NEWS: Sugar Ray & the Bluetones just received seven BMA Nominations! - Band of the Year - Album of the Year - Traditional Album of the Year - Harmonica (Sugar Ray Norcia) - Bass (Michael "Mudcat" Ward) - Traditional Male Artist for Sugar Ray Norcia - Song for "Things Could Be Worse"
Singer and super-harp man Sugar Ray Norcia's career kicked into high gear in 1979 when he formed the original Sugar Ray & the Bluetones with guitar giant Ronnie Earl. In the 90's Norcia spent seven years with the legendary Roomful of Blues. He cut five albums with the group including 1996's "Turn It On, Turn It Up," which also received a Best Traditional Blues Grammy nod. More recently he teamed up with guitar phenom "Monster" Mike Welch and many fans and critics alike think they are both at the top of their game.Norcia has appeared on nearly 50 albums including discs with the Bluetones, Ronnie Earl, Otis Grand, Ann Peebles, Michelle Willson, Sax Gordon, Duke Robillard and his 1999's Best Traditional Blues Grammy nominated collaboration with fellow harmonica virtuosos James Cotton, Charlie Musselwhite and Billy Branch called "Superharps." Their last album, "Evening," earned them five Blues Music Award nominations including Band of the Year and Album of the Year.
Not limited to one style, but able to play Chicago Blues in the style of Muddy Waters, Little Walter and Billy Boy Arnold; Kansas City Swing in the style of "Big" Joe Turner; Texas Blues like "T" Bone Walker and Freddie King; and the swampy Louisiana sounds of "Lazy" Lester - all played with the distinctive originality of band leader Sugar Ray Norcia, vocals and harmonica, guitarist "Monster" Mike Welch, Anthony Geraci at the piano and Hammond Organ, Michael "Mudcat" Ward playing acoustic and electric bass and drummer Neil Gouvin.
OPEN: Ben Knight - Ben writes Rock n Roll songs and performs them on the street and stage. He is currently focused on writing the best songs ever made and creating the best live show ever seen.