For his latest CD, Andy Santana has resurrected the infamous West Coast Playboys. Watch Your Step! features an army of talent including guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Kid Andersen, longtime musical companions Mighty Mike Schermer and June Core, as well as Bay Area blues stalwarts Rusty Zinn, Anthony Paule, Bob Welsh and others. Here Andy’s originals stand alongside some interesting covers that have the iconoclastic sensibilities of a true American original.
While listening to Watch Your Step! it is as if you are in a New Orleans dance hall that just happens to be on a beach in California. Sorry Santa Cruz, your secret is out of the bag.
Andy Santana was inducted in to the Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame on September 30, 2018 along with AJ Joyce, Jimmy Morello and RW Grigsby. There was also a special tribute to the late Frankie Lee.
The ceremony took place at Harlow's followed by a showcase at the Torch Club.
Snakeboy Johnson
Mighty Mike Schermer is probably the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve never heard of"
Tommy Castro
“Every time I play with him my booty hurts afterwards from him kicking it all night!” - Elvin Bishop
“Funky and authentic!” - Bonnie Raitt
"Hands down one of the best songwriters in the blues today" - Bill Wax, XM/Sirius Radio "Bluesville"
The opening cut of Mighty Mike Schermer’s 8th solo album describes the 57 year-old guitarist/singer/songwriter’s musical journey perfectly. “It ain’t getting’ old, it’s just getting’ good!”
Recorded at Greaseland in San Jose, CA with the help of perennial Blues Award winner/Grammy nominee and multi-instrumentalist Kid Andersen, “Just Gettin’ Good” showcases Mighty Mike at his guitar-slinging, soul-singing and storytelling best. 12 original songs retain the energetic live-show feel throughout, with stellar performances by some of the Bay Area’s top musicians including Steve Ehrmann (Roy Rogers, John Lee Hooker), Tony Stead (Tommy Castro, Sly and The Family Stone), Paul Revelli (Joe Louis Walker, Chuck Prophet), D’mar (Little Richard, Rick Estrin and the Nightcats), June Core (Charlie Musselwhite, Robert Jr. Lockwood) and Austin DeLone (Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe). Jerry Jemmott, John Nemeth, Terry Hanck and The Sons of the Soul Revivers all contribute mightily in guest appearances. The knockout punch may well be delivered by Mike’s beautiful and talented partner Ms. Kimmy Pickens, featured in more than one Star-Is-Born musical and songwriting moment.
4th Wednesday of every month! It's a whole lotta fun at Mighty Mike's Blues and Old School Country Jam Session! More of a picking' party really...we sit in a circle and pass the musical jug around. Bring your voice or instrument (acoustic or LOW VOLUME electric) or just come hang out and listen! $5 […]
The Blues Monsters have been taking center stage for over 30 years! A red-hot rockin' blues band from the North Lake Tahoe and Reno area, The Blues Monsters were voted the #1 blues band in North Lake Tahoe for 7 years running "Blues Access" a national publication reviewed their 2nd CD "Live Vibrations" and could it be said any better, "this band has all the ingredients for a great show." The Reno Gazette Journal stated "this CD should be used as a teaching tool for anyone who wanted to record a live CD." Their first CD "Red Hot Hat" received substantial airplay on KTHX Reno as well as "Mick Martin's Blues Party" the blues show broadcast on NPR radio in Sacramento and sold thousands of copies.
Johnny Winter, Buddy Guy, and most recently, George Thorogood and Tinsley Ellis… after opening for these greats, and touring the US, Canada, and Europe for years, Dennis Jones and his band are now HEADLINING! Sizzling hot guitar solos. Smooth and soulful vocals. High-energy stage performance. Backed by a rhythm section that is second to none, […]
Guitarist/Singer/Songwriter Richie Blue's blistering guitar playing and heart and soul vocals have taken him to his current status as one of the top drawing acts on the club and festival circuit all over California, the northwestern states, Canada, and Mexico. His brand of music although rooted in the blues, is a blend of rock-a-billy, country swing, New Orleans swamp, and soul.
Mike Zito is one of the most lauded artists in the contemporary blues arena today and rightfully so, but for him, the thing that counts the most is maintaining his honesty, authenticity and integrity. Those are the qualities that have steered Zito’s career since the beginning and continue to define every effort he’s offered since. […]
Tedeschi Trucks Band is a Grammy Award-winning 12-piece rock and soul powerhouse that holds the well-deserved reputation as one of the best live acts touring today. Led by husband & wife, guitarist Derek Trucks and singer/guitarist Susan Tedeschi - hailed as “two of the best roots rock musicians of their generation” (NPR), the 12-piece Tedeschi […]