Download Grammy Nominated Funk-Show Band Blinddog Smokin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Phyllis Tuttle, Marketing Assistant
Tel. 336.883.3097 / E-mail.
[email protected]
Kill Date:
November 14, 2015
Grammy Nominated Funk-Show Band Blinddog Smokin’ Set to Bring Unique Soulful Style to
the High Point Theatre in Celebration of 40th Anniversary Season
An evening of uptown horns and low-down groves scheduled for Saturday, November 14
High Point, North Carolina – Fatback funk. Blistering blues. Uptown horns and low-down grooves. Creative, fun and
interactive with their audience, Blinddog Smokin’ is a soulful, funky 7-piece show band with a deep and original American
repertoire incorporating rock, blues, gospel and soulful stylings. A 2015 Grammy nominee for Best Blues Album with their
latest work Decisions (billed as Bobby Rush with Blinddog Smokin’), the group once dubbed the “Ultimate Road Warriors”
by Southland Blues Magazine will settle in at the High Point Theatre just long enough for a single live performance on
Saturday, November 14, at 8:00 pm.
The earliest origins of the band probably began in 1962 at the Pic-a-Rib Café in Laramie, Wyoming, where a young Carl
Gustafson had run away from home and took refuge with his African-American schoolmate. Carl learned to appreciate the
blues on the jukebox which the café owner, Miss Peggy Stith, danced to and loved. Gustafson and Jason Cooms, a heavy
metal rocker, formed Bluestone for the sole purpose of entering a contest for blues bands sponsored by the Department
of Defense. Well received by the armed forces personnel because of the blended influences that mixed heart and energy
and came up a loud, full out, metal blues, it was a gig at BB King’s club that led to their first big break, a spot on the main
stage at the prestigious King Biscuit Blues Festival. The original incarnation of Blinddog Smokin' was formed in 1994 with
front man, singer, and harmonica player Carl Gustafson and drummer/vocalist Chicago Chuck Gullen. Today the band is
composed of bassist Roland Bacon who joined in 2003, keyboardist Mo Beeks who joined in 2009, backup singer Chris
White who joined in 2010, and finally guitarist Chalo Ortiz and backup singer Linda Gustafson who both joined in 2013.
Over the past two decades, Blinddog Smokin’ has averaged around 200 gigs annually, recorded eight albums, produced
forty-one original songs, played every conceivable venue, from Mississippi juke joints to tours throughout Europe and the
Mediterranean – including three times on the main stage at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, twice on the main stage at the
Tulsa Blues Festival, and as the house band for the Snowy Range Blues Festival for six consecutive years – and gigged
with iconic blues artists Dr. John, Bobby Rush, Macy Gray and more. In addition to their 2015 Grammy nomination for
Best Blues Album, the band received the 2015 Blues Music Award nomination for Song of the Year ("Another Murder in
New Orleans" written by Carl Gustafson, Donny Markowitz, performed by: Dr. John, Bobby Rush, Blinddog Smokin'),was
a 2015 nominee for Best Soul Blues Album (Memphis, TN), 2014 Blues Blast Music Award winner for Best Soul Blues
Album, and 2014 Best of the Beat Award winner for Best Blues Album.
“Blinddog Smokin’ will be one of the most exciting musical groups we have ever had grace the stage at this Theatre,” says
High Point Theatre Director David Briggs. “Music, costumes and audience interaction will guarantee a great time is had by
all.” Tickets are $30-$35, available at the box office by calling (336) 887-3001 and online at www.highpointtheatre.com.
About High Point Theatre
Owned and operated by the City of High Point, the High Point Theatre is conveniently located within
the International Home Furnishings Center at the corner of Commerce Avenue and Hamilton Street
in High Point. The Theatre features an elegant 965-seat auditorium with continental style seating,
three exhibition galleries for meetings, displays, and receptions, and free parking.
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