News

Texas-born, Louisiana-raised pianist/vocalist/songwriter Marcia Ball has received a 2011 Grammy Award nomination in the Best Blues Album category for her critically acclaimed CD, ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS.This is Ball's fifth release for Alligator Records and the fourth to receive a Grammy Award nomination.

And Ball is absolutely thrilled. "Wow! This time I'm blown away. Thanks and congratulations really go to my great band and all the musicians who played on ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS, to producer/co-writer Gary Nicholson, engineers Ray Kennedy and Sam Seifert, and to the great crews at Alligator Records and The Rosebud Agency. Fingers crossed!"

NPR Music writer Marc Silver says, "America should create a Roots Music Hall of Fame and make Ball a charter member. Since her first recording in 1978 -- and most likely since she began playing piano at age five -- she's sung soulful, New Orleans-tinged music that's great fun to hear."

The winners of the 54th Grammy Awards will be announced on February 12, 2012. The other nominees in the Best Blues Album category are Gregg Allman, Warren Haynes, Keb Mo and The Tedeschi Trucks Band.

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Alligator Records has set a January 31, 2012 release date for Hellfire, the label debut from Joe Louis Walker. The award-winning guitar slinger, passionate vocalist and gifted songwriter has been releasing groundbreaking music since 1986 and has toured  -- and continues to tour -- worldwide. The New York Times raves, "Walker is a singer with a Cadillac of a voice. He delivers no-nonsense, gutsy blues. His guitar solos are fast, wiry and incisive, moaning with bluesy despair." Rolling Stone simply calls him "ferocious."

Walker's discography includes 23 albums and two DVDs. He has won four Blues Music Awards, including the 2010 Album Of The Year Award for Between A Rock And A Hard Place (Stony Plain Records), and has been nominated for 43 more. Walker's also recorded as a guest with some of the blues world's best-known artists, including appearances on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton.

Hellfire was produced by songwriter/drummer Tom Hambridge (producer of Buddy Guy's two most recent Grammy-winning CDs, Skin Deep and Living Proof, as well as albums for Susan Tedeschi, George Thorogood and others). Walker, who wrote or co-wrote seven of the CD's eleven tracks, says it's the hardest rocking and most deeply soulful album of his career. His blistering blues guitar playing and gospel-tinged vocals effortlessly blend throughout the album. The psychedelic overtones of the title track (a harrowing and personal tale of the struggle of good versus evil) give way to the slow, simmering and pleading What's It Worth? and full-force rock of the Stones-y Ride All Night. Walker's original showstopper Soldier For Jesus (featuring vocal harmonies from The Jordanaires, who also appear on Don't Cry) fits seamlessly alongside the other selections, making perfect thematic sense in the tradition of Al Green, Marvin Gaye or Prince, who all successfully combined carnal desires and gospel devotion.

Joe Louis Walker was born in San Francisco on Christmas Day of 1949. His parents were both from the South and they brought their love of blues with them when they headed west. Joe's dad played blues piano, and his mom played B.B. King records. Walker picked up the guitar as a child, and by the time he was 16 was regularly backing touring blues artists rolling through town. San Francisco's music scene was quickly becoming a melting pot of blues, jazz and psychedelic rock, and Walker was right in the center of it.

As a 16-year-old, Walker was the house guitarist at San Francisco's famed musical playground, The Matrix, where he played with or opened shows for everyone from Lightnin' Hopkins to Jimi Hendrix to Thelonious Monk. He was also a regular at The Fillmore West. These ear-opening surroundings explain the ease with which Walker blends blues, rock, gospel, jazz and country, making it seem as if walls between the styles do not exist.

The blues legends Walker accompanied shared not only musical knowledge but also their personal wisdom with the teenage up-and-comer. Fred McDowell, Ike Turner, Albert King, Freddy King, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Lightnin' Hopkins and many others taught, fed, and chastised the youngster. Inspired by what he learned, Walker developed his own fiery, melodic, and always unpredictable guitar attack.

Walker met guitarist Michael Bloomfield in 1968 and the two became fast friends. Bloomfield helped push Walker's blues in a more rock-fueled direction, and he became the single biggest influence on Walker's sound. The two shared an apartment for years and remained close friends until Bloomfield's death in 1981. From 1975 to 1985, Walker performed nothing but gospel music, playing and singing as a member of The Spiritual Corinthians. In 1986, after Walker returned to playing the blues, Hightone Records released his debut CD, Cold Is The Night. Firmly rooted in blues, gospel, R&B and rock, the album caught the attention of music fans around the country. 

With each subsequent release, Walker's audience continues to grow, as his touring schedule continues to expand. He's played major European festivals, including Northsea Jazz Festival, Glastonbury, Notodden and Montreux, as well as festivals in Japan, Australia, Taiwan, Ireland, Turkey and Brazil. He's appeared on national television, with performances on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, The Don Imus Show and Later With Jools Holland in the UK.

JJ Grey & Mofro, whose new DVD/CD Brighter Days was called "compelling swamp-funk" by The New York Times, have announced dates for their Winter tour. The band will perform throughout the Midwest, East Coast and into Canada, with original Mofro guitarist Daryl Hance opening many of the shows.

Brighter Days is Grey's first-ever live DVD/CD. The two-disc set includes a full-length movie and a long-awaited live album. Directed by filmmaker/musician Spookie Daly (whose work has been aired on MTV Networks, Much Music and Fuse), the film intersperses riveting concert footage with the stunning beauty of Grey's north Florida home, the inspiration for so much of his music. The film also follows Grey and company into the studio and features band interviews along with insightful commentary from Grey and others, recalling the format of classic "rockumentaries." The accompanying CD captures almost eighty minutes of crowd favorites taken from the night's performances.

Dates and venues for the Winter Tour:

December 29
Mavericks
Jacksonville, FL
with Yankee Slickers

December 30
The Ritz Ybor
Tampa, FL
with Honey Island Swamp Band

December 31
Variety Playhouse
Atlanta, GA
with Honey Island Swamp Band

January 12
Hi-Tone Cafe
Memphis, TN
with Daryl Hance

January 13
The Pageant
St. Louis, MO
with Daryl Hance

January 14
The Vic
Chicago, IL
with Daryl Hance

January 15
Magic Bag
Detroit, MI
with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Daryl Hance

January 18
Varsity Theater
Minneapolis, MN
with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Daryl Hance

January 19
Turner Hall
Milwaukee, WI
with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Daryl Hance

January 20
Headliners Music Hall
Louisville, KY
with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Daryl Hance

January 21
Mr. Smalls
Pittsburgh, PA
with JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound and Daryl Hance

January 22
Horseshoe Tavern
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
with MonkeyJunk

January 25
L'Astral
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

January 26
Paradise Rock Club
Boston, MA
with MonkeyJunk

January 27
Union Transfer
Philadelphia, PA
with MonkeyJunk

January 28
State Theatre
Falls Church, VA
with MonkeyJunk

ALLIGATOR RECORDS AND ARTISTS CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE AND JANIVA MAGNESS ALL NAMED BLUES MATTERS (UK) INTERNATIONAL WRITER'S POLL WINNERS

Alligator Records, currently bringing its 40th anniversary to a close, was named Best International Record Label in the Blues Matters (UK) International Writer's Poll. Blues legend Charlie Musselwhite won the award for Best Harmonica, and singing sensation Janiva Magness took the award for Best Vocalist.

Musselwhite's latest CD, The Well, received a Grammy nomination. Living Blues said, "The Well features full-toned Memphis-to-Chicago harp chops and is filled with soul-stirring, spiritual uplift and hard-won, life-affirming blues wisdom."

Magness, winner of four Blues Music Awards (including the 2009 award for Entertainer Of The Year), is currently putting the finishing touches on a new CD due for release in Spring of 2012. Her previous album, 2010's The Devil Is An Angel Too, debuted at #3 on the Billboard Blues Chart The CD also debuted as the #1 blues CD at iTunes.

BLUES LEGEND LONNIE BROOKS TO RECEIVE "MUSICAL GIANT" AWARD FROM ALPHA PHI ALPHA FRATERNITY

Blues legend Lonnie Brooks will be presented with a coveted "Musical Giant" Award on November 19, 2011 during the annual Black & Gold Ball hosted by the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity. The event will take place at the Double Tree Hotel located at 5000 W. 127th Street in Alsip, IL.

Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity is the oldest African American fraternity in the United States. Founded in 1906 at Cornell University, they now have college and alumni chapters across the country. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was among the organization's more notable members. The Black & Gold Ball generates revenue for academic scholarships for deserving minority students in the Chicagoland area.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS SIGNS AWARD-WINNING BLUES LEGEND

JOE LOUIS WALKER

NEW ALBUM SET FOR JANUARY 2012 RELEASE

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of celebrated guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Joe Louis Walker, the man Blues Revue called "one of contemporary blues' most dynamic and innovative musicians, who releases consistently exciting music. No matter what he's singing, Walker's approach is soulful, heartfelt and spellbinding." According to Living Blues, he is "one of today's modern musical masters." Walker's Alligator debut will be released in January of 2012.

Alligator president Bruce Iglauer is thrilled to have Walker on board. "Joe Louis Walker is one of the most exciting and passionate bluesmen of his generation. He's a major talent whose music speaks to both blues and rock fans. We're excited to help bring his music to a larger audience than ever."

And Walker's in full agreement. "Alligator has clearly been one of the most important blues labels of our time and I am proud to say that I am an Alligator artist. I look forward to being part of the Alligator family."

Over his 27-year career, Walker has released 24 albums and toured worldwide. He won four Blues Music Awards, including the 2010 Album Of The Year Award for Between A Rock And A Hard Place (Stony Plain Records), and has been nominated for 43 more. He's also recorded as a guest with some of the blues world's best-known artists, including appearances on Grammy-winning records by B.B. King and James Cotton.

Fans and critics have been celebrating Walker for years. Living Blues said, "His fretwork is indelibly stamped with his own trademark blend of emotional heat and impeccable precision -- even at his most flamboyant, Walker sounds as if he's playing ideas, not just notes."

The New York Times raved, "Walker is a singer with a Cadillac of a voice. He delivers no-nonsense, gutsy blues. His voice is weather-beaten but ready for more; his guitar solos are fast, wiry and incisive, moaning with bluesy despair."

JJ GREY & MOFRO NOMINATED FOR PRESTIGIOUS MAPLE BLUES AWARD

JJ Grey & Mofro, whose new DVD/CD Brighter Days was called "compelling swamp-funk" by The New York Times, received a nomination for a coveted Maple Blues Award in the B.B. King International Artist Of The Year category. The Maple Blues Awards are Canada's only national blues awards. The goal of the awards is to promote blues music across Canada, and to recognize outstanding achievement in the field. Winners of the 15th Annual Maple Blues Awards will be announced at a ceremony in Toronto on January 16, 2012.

ALLIGATOR RECORDS DOWNLOADS NOW AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK

Alligator Records has entered into an agreement with digital distribution company ONErpm to sell single song and full album downloads directly from Alligator artists' Facebook fan pages. Currently, 38 full Alligator artist albums are available for purchase, with many more to follow. Albums cost $9.99 and individual tracks are $0.99. Artists include Michael "Iron Man" Burks, Tommy Castro, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater, James Cotton, Tinsley Ellis, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats, JJ Grey & Mofro, Guitar Shorty, The Holmes Brothers, Smokin' Joe Kubek & Bnois King, Lil' Ed & The Blues Imperials, Janiva Magness and Anders Osborne.

Alligator was introduced to ONErpm's services through A2IM, the American Association Of Independent Music. A2IM is an organization of independent music labels that promotes business opportunities, provides advocacy and representation as well as networking opportunities for the independent label community. Alligator president and founder Bruce Iglauer sits on A2IM's Board of Directors. Iglauer says, "This is another way that A2IM is helping independent labels network with new technology services to make independent music more available in the very fast-changing world of music retailing."

ALLIGATOR RECORDS SIGNS VOCALIST/HARMONICA ICON CURTIS SALGADO

Alligator Records is pleased to announce the signing of soul singer/songwriter/harmonica icon Curtis Salgado. Salgado, winner of the Blues Music Award for 2010 Soul Blues Artist Of The Year, will release his label debut in Spring of 2012. Blues Revue says, "Salgado is one of the most down-to-earth, soulful, honest singers ever, and his harmonica work is smoking and thoroughly invigorating. He plays rollicking soul-rock...funky and electrifying." Salgado tours constantly, and is among the most energetic performers in the blues world. 

Originally from Everett, WA, Salgado grew up in Eugene, OR. He was featured vocalist of the original Robert Cray Band and later spent time as lead vocalist with Roomful of Blues and Santana. He has released a total of seven solo albums and has built a legion of fans worldwide. In 2008 Salgado overcame serious health issues and has returned stronger than ever.

TWO ALLIGATOR ARTISTS NOMINATED FOR BLUES BLAST MAGAZINE AWARDS

Harmonica giant Charlie Musselwhtie and soul/R&B singer Janiva Magness have been nominated for Blues Blast Magazine Awards. Musselwhite received two nominations, Magness received one.

Winners will be announced at the Blues Blast Awards Show on October 27, 2011 at Buddy Guy's Legends, 700 S. Wabash, Chicago, IL.

NOMINEES:

Charlie Musselwhite

The Well, Traditional Album Of The Year

The Well, Song Of The Year

Janiva Magness

Female Blues Artist Of The Year