HIGHWAY 99 BLUES CLUB PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2010

CONTACT: ED or STEVE @ Highway 99 Blues Club (206) 382-2171

EMAIL: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

HIGHWAY 99 BLUES CLUB WINS BEST BLUES CLUB AND KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE AWARDS…..!!!!

“ I’m just about to bust up a love….the kind that makes a grown man cry…..”

Seattle, WA - What a big month it was for Highway 99 Blues Club. The Washington Blues Society (WBS) had its annual BB Awards event at a sold out Triple Door nightclub on May 16 and among many other winners, Highway 99 won its 5 th Best Blues Club in Washington award. We were pleased as punch to win this honor and even more surprised when they announced the winner of the “Keeping the Blues Alive” award was also the club…!! WOW….all this hard work and bringing the blues to the people is a very good thing to be doing after all.

This July marks the 6 th Anniversary of Highway 99 Blues Club. We find that hard to believe. Yet here we are still working hard to bring the music and food together in a club that has gained a reputation from the West coast to the East.

We refuse to take our foot (feet..???!!) off the gas. We are going to bust out some amazing shows this month, and our lineup rivals any month in the history of the club for just flat out great shows.

Kicking the door down on July 1 will be the debut of one of the hottest blues guitarists around; WALTER TROUT hits the highway with his band for the first time ever. This former member of Canned Heat and John Mayall’s Bluesbreakers has released 18 albums in his career… tours thru Europe and the US and was named one of the top 20 guitarists by BBC Radio.

July 2 marks the return visit of Vancouver, Canada’s award winning band THE TWISTERS. 5 time nominee for the Annual Maple Blues Award, this jumpin’ and swingin’ blues band bends heavily towards the vintage blues sound with great vocal harmonies, tight arrangements and an energetic live show. This is a band just making its way in the US and creating quite the buzz.

July 3 marks our 3 rd Annual Rockabilly, BBQ and Hot Rod Car show. This year featuring hot rods from the Roadmen Car Club, burlesque dancing with Evilyn Sinclaire, Shanghai Pearl and Fushia Foxx and music with JULIE & THE STRAIGHTSHOOTERS, BILLY DWAYNE & THE CREEPERS, JOHNNY MERCURY, HARD MONEY SAINTS and TUMBLEDOWN…! WOW…doors at 6pm….get ready for the fireworks…!!

One of the best R & B soul bands to arrive on the scene in the past few years, from Austin, Texas comes MINGO FISHTRAP. This 8 piece band has been a regular performer on DELBERT MCCLINTON’S blues cruises, a featured performer this year at Portland’s Waterfront festival and returns to Highway 99 for the 2 nd time. This is where Motown meets East Bay funk; full horn attack and bluesy vocals. Mark your calendar for July 9.

Another veteran performer making his debut at the club will be JAMES “THE ICEPICK” HARMAN from California. A 14 - time WC Handy nominee, this authentic bluesman plays the harp and sings with influences from southern blues. He has played with the likes of Big Joe Turner, Freddie King and Muddy Waters. A blues story teller, one night only on July 16.

Coming back by way of Portland and the rest of the United States, is one of the hottest young bands on the scene today; THE INSOMNIACS. Much has happened to this band since they first played the club a couple of years ago; national tours, signed by Delta Groove Records, multiple Muddy awards and a 2010 BMA nominee for Best Contemporary Blues Recording. Hard swingin’ blues with a Left Coast attitude on July 23.

Other acts return to the club this month as well; on July 10 it is THE ROBBIE LAWS BIGGER BLUES BAND having just been featured at Portland’s Waterfront Blues Festival and also having won the award for BEST BLUES ACT in Washington State as voted on by the Washington Blues Society.

July 17 brings back THE RED HOT BLUES SISTERS. They have been tearing it up on tour in Canada, Europe and the US. This time they are bringing their good friend and outstanding blues guitarist and singer from San Francisco – PAT WILDER. Look for a great evening of rockin’ blues.

From Portland, the2009 Muddy award winner for Best Contemporary Blues Act,KEVIN SELFE AND THE TORNADOES will perform at the club on July 31. Their new CD “Playing the Game” is #33 on the national blues charts. Kevin is a triple threat on guitar, vocals and harp. The band has garnered 10 Muddy nominations in the past three years. Originally from Virginia, Kevin’s influences range from Stevie Ray to Ronnie Earl. They are a hard swingin’ blues outfit with great live shows plus special guest DOVER WEINBERGon keys - formerly with Duffy Bishop, Paul deLay  and played with Robert Cray and Albert Collins.

The last Friday of each month brings the legendary LEE OSKAR and Friends show to the club. One of the true masters of the harmonica, Lee was a founding member of the band WAR, and the Low Rider Band. His sound has set the standard for the fusion of Latin and soul. These shows have become well known for the music and the surprise guests that Lee invites to sit in. July 30 for this show.

Look for these other bands on our schedule as well this month; NICK VIGARINO’S MEANTWON BLUES; MICHAEL POWERS GROUP; HOT ROD’S BLUES REVUE; SAM MARSHALL TRIO; SONIC FUNK ORCHESTRA;JAMES HOWARD BANDand LISA AND THE PO’K CHOPS.

As always there is lots more information and gossip about

Highway 99 Blues Club at the following locations:

http://highway99blues.blogspot.com/

www.highwayninetynine.comand

http://myspace.com/hitthehighway

Music usually starts at 8:30 weeknights and 9pm weekends.

Reservations are gladly accepted for all shows and highly recommended on the weekends.

Music in July

Music in July, 2010

7/1 Thurs WALTER TROUT – Highway 99 debut of one of the great blues guitarists in the biz…his music

brings the blues to life…has worked with John Lee Hooker, Joe Tex & Big Mama Thorton…

was a member of CANNED HEAT and JOHN MAYALL’S BLUESBREAKERS…a successful

solo career with 18 albums released - yearly tours across Europe and named one of the top 20

guitarists by BBC radio…great live shows with his tight band…crafty songwriting and

scorching blues guitar work…$15

7/2 FriTHE TWISTERS – From Vancouver BC comes this oft celebrated blues/roots band…2 nd visit to

Hwy 99…5 time nominee for Canada’s annual Maple Blues award….jumpin’ and swingin’

blues..featuring harp, slap bass and a strong nod to vintage swing blues….tight arrangements,

great vocal harmonies and spot on instrumentation….live shows are legendary for their energy

and music for dancing….$12

7/3 Sat 3 rd ANNUAL ROCKABILLY, BBQ & ROADMEN CAR CLUB HOT ROD SHOW…..this is a not too

be missed show…featuring music from JULIE & THE STRAIGHTSHOOTERS,

BILLY DWAYNE & THE CREEPERS, JOHNNY MERCURY, HARD MONEY SAINTS

and TUMBLEDOWN…with burlesque - Evilyn Sinclaire, Shanghai Pearl and Fushia Foxx…

Doors at 6pm…Music starts at 8:30pm…all this for only $10 bucks…!!

7/4 Sun HAPPY 4 TH OF July….we are closed ……

7/5 Mon Closed

7/6 Tues Closed

7/7 Wed SAM MARSHALL TRIO – monthly residency of SMT…built on the foundation of the blues; tied

in with strong Americana roots and elements of jazz….plus special guests each month…$5

7/8 Thurs SONIC FUNK ORCHESTRA – you wanted a dance party…Sonic Funk is gonna make it happen…

one of the area’s premier dance bands, they host this monthly party and booty shake with their

take on the best music from the 70’s and 80’s….you can bring your polyester…but be ready to do the “bird”….huge night of fun….$7

7/9 FriMINGO FISHTRAP – 9 piece R & B band from Austin, Texas….5 time SXSW winner…where

Motown soul meets East Bay funk…regular performer on DELBERT MCCLINTON’S

cruises…full horn attack with bluesy vocals…this will be their 2 nd time at Hwy 99 and they

blew the roof off the joint last time…featured act at this year’s Portland Blues Festival…..$15

7/10 SatROBBIE LAWS BIGGER BLUES BAND….only show this summer….just featured at Portland’s

Waterfront festival….this 7 piece band with 3 horns and B-3 features Portland’s own Hall of

Fame member ROBBIE LAWS….and the band was voted the BEST BLUES ACT IN

WASHINGTON by the members of the Washington Blues Society….for 2010….the band

travels deep into jumpin’ swingin’ blues and vintage R & B….club regular….$15

7/11 Sun Closed

7/12 Mon STORMY MONDAY w/ Highway 99 Dance Band playing swingin’ 30’s and 40’s blues just right for

dancing…plus swing and blues dance lessons with Katie McCathlin…lessons at 7:30pm - $5

7/13 Tues BLUES VAULT - -unearthing rare gems from the blues archives….weekly feature…. Put on your

hard hat and join blues guru John Kessler of KPLU's All Blues show as he sheds light on hidden

veins of the blues mines. Witness John and his crew, DUDLEY TAFTand CHRIS

LEIGHTON , as they unearth funky, rockin', fusion-tinted tunes from off the beaten path. This

ain't no Stormy Monday deal, it's Treasure Tuesdays! If you have a true passion for the blues

and its fringes, you will be in good company with the Blues Vault...$5

7/14 Wed Seattle’s Hot Zydeco Connection MONTHLY LOUISIANA HOUSE PARTY – here is your chance to

learn the moves, dance to the bands and meet some great people….featuring many of the area’s

best local Zydeco and Cajun bands, and some of the finest dance instructors as well…this

promises to be a “hot Wednesday night”… $10

7/15 Thurs Brand New Thursday Residency…..MICHAEL POWERS GROUP – Highway 99 debut of much

loved Seattle jazz and blues guitarist…stunning technique…deeply inspired by the blues…

CD RELEASE event for new CD…$5

7/16 FriJAMES HARMAN BAND – Hwy 99 debut of this California bluesman…known as an original blues

artist, Harman is a talented harp player, songwriter and performer…14 time WC Handy

nominee…his longtime band “Icehouse Blues” played with the likes of Big Joe Turner, Freddie

King, Muddy Waters and more….his has toured in 18 countries and all over the US…featured

this year at Winthrop R & B festival…influenced by Southern blues and a true story-teller…$15

7/17 SatTHE RED HOT BLUES SISTERS with special guest from San Francisco, blues guitarist and singer PAT WILDER…the award winning Sisters bring their rockin’ mix of soul and blues back to

the joint that gave them their start….along with their good friend from the Bay area; Pat

Wilder…long time fixture on the SF blues scene….hot soulful vocals along with hard groovin’

guitar chops…this is gonna be a hot show…! $12

7/18 Sun Closed

7/19 Mon STORMY MONDAY w/ Highway 99 Dance Band playing swingin’ 30’s and 40’s blues just right for

dancing…plus swing and blues dance lessons with Katie McCathlin…lessons at 7:30pm - $5

7/20 Tues BLUES VAULT - -unearthing rare gems from the blues archives….new weekly feature…. Put on your

hard hat and join blues guru John Kessler of KPLU's All Blues show as he sheds light on hidden

veins of the blues mines. Witness John and his crew, DUDLEY TAFTand CHRIS

LEIGHTON , as they unearth funky, rockin', fusion-tinted tunes from off the beaten path. This

ain't no Stormy Monday deal, it's Treasure Tuesdays! If you have a true passion for the blues

and its fringes, you will be in good company with the Blues Vault...$5

7/21 Wed LISA AND THE PO’K CHOPS –this funk and soul outfit is fronted by the lovely Lisa, she brings her

gospel roots to the stage with her deeply soulful take on the music that puts the rumble in your

stumble….come check them out….$5

7/22 Thurs JAMES HOWARD BAND – stunning guitarist whose skills can take your breath away…blending

jazz, blues and rock into a creative original sound…a monthly feature for over two years….$7

7/23 FriINSOMNIACS– blues, roots and R&B…2010 BMA nominee “Best Contemporary Blues Recording”

…from Portland….wow...this band is on a tear – multiple Muddy awards and BMA

nominations…now touring the country…making records with Delta Groove…winning

awards….swingin’ vintage blues with a Left Coast twist….been a long time since they

Hit The Highway….the dancers love these guys..!!...$15

7/24 SatNICK VIGARINO’S MEANTOWN BLUESslop jar delta funk & slide guitar madness…Nick’s one

of our favorites….brings the passion of the Delta and the soul of the blues to his music…$15

7/25 Sun Closed

7/26 Mon STORMY MONDAY w/ Highway 99 Dance Band playing swingin’ 30’s and 40’s blues just right for

dancing…plus swing and blues dance lessons with Katie McCathlin…lessons at 7:30pm - $5

7/27 Tues BLUES VAULT - -unearthing rare gems from the blues archives….new weekly feature…. Put on your

hard hat and join blues guru John Kessler of KPLU's All Blues show as he sheds light on hidden

veins of the blues mines. Witness John and his crew, DUDLEY TAFTand CHRIS

LEIGHTON , as they unearth funky, rockin', fusion-tinted tunes from off the beaten path. This

ain't no Stormy Monday deal, it's Treasure Tuesdays! If you have a true passion for the blues

and its fringes, you will be in good company with the Blues Vault...$5

7/28 Wed HOT ROD’S BLUES REVUE – 2010 Nominee for Best Blues Band…a mix of some great talent from

different bands...brought together for a blues voyage features: JOE BLUE, TOMMY WALL,

TIM LERCH, JOEY THE SAINT and HOT ROD riding the B-3….always special guests

with a great mix of blues and R & B……$7

7/29 Thurs NEARLY DAN – A tribute to the music of STEELY DAN. This highly acclaimed

12 piece band captures the soul and sounds of one of the most unique bands to ever record albums.

This skilled group blends the horns, vocals and spot-on arrangements of Steely Dan into a compelling

evening of music and performance that will satisfy the most die-hard fan of this group. The band has been

playing to a packed room for nearly every show. If you have not seen them, you must do so soon….! $15 cover

7/30 FriLEE OSKAR AND FRIENDS – the legendary harp master brings his monthly show in to feature the

music that made the bands WAR and THE LOW RIDER BAND so well known…a creator of

the fusion of Latin and soul music, Lee’s innovation on the harp is recognized around the

world…backed by some of Seattle’s finest musician’s, these shows have become a must

see…always a surprise guest or three….$15

7/31 SatKEVIN SELFE AND THE TORNADOES – from Portland…2009 Muddy award winner for

Best Contemporary Blues Act…new CD “Playing the Game” is #33 on the national

blues charts…triple threat on guitar, vocals and harp…band has garnered 10 Muddy

nominations in the past three years…originally from Virginia, Kevin’s influences range

from Stevie Ray to Ronnie Earl..hard swingin’ blues outfit...great live shows…plus

special guest DOVER WEINBERG on keys…formerly with Duffy Bishop, Paul

deLay and played with Robert Cray and Albert Collins….$13