Legendary bluesman Guitar Shorty will bring his highly energized live show to the Twin Cites Sunday, Feb. 13, as the Midnight Blues Club kicks off its 2005 Sunday Night Blues Series.
Following a successful inaugural last fall, the Sunday Night Blues Series will return with a mix of talented veterans and rising stars from the national blues scene. Among the highlights on this year’s schedule are appearances by Deborah Coleman, Lucky Peterson, Joanna Connor, James Montgomery and Big Bill Morganfield, son of blues legend Muddy Waters.
Texas-born Shorty, born David William Kearney Sept. 8, 1939, began playing guitar as a young boy excited by the sounds of B.B. King, T-Bone Walker and Earl Hooker. He earned his first gig at age 17 as featured guitarist and vocalist in Walter Johnson’s 18-piece orchestra. Because he was the shortest member of the band, a club owner dubbed him “Guitar Shorty,” and the name stuck.
Influenced by one of his early idols, Guitar Slim, Shorty was known for the somersaults and flips he performed on stage.
Yet he continually honed his high-energy style to ensure the show never surpassed the music. Shorty has worked with such blues greats as Little Milton, Lowell Fulson and the late Johnny Copeland. His powerful vocals and wild guitar have earned him a loyal following throughout the years.
Shorty is now touring the country in support of his most recent release on Alligator Records titled “Watch Your Back.” The disc contains 10 tracks and features the fire-breathing, incendiary guitar-playing Shorty has developed. “This is the record I’ve always wanted to do,” Shorty said. “The songs and arrangements are what’s been in my head my whole life.”
“I think we’ve got a great mix of talent coming to town this year,” said Midnight Blues Club owner Paul Morency. “What I’ve tried to do with this series is bring in a variety of performers to please a large group of blues enthusiasts. For those who love the female stars, we’ve got Deborah Coleman and Joanna Connor, both incredibly talented. And for those who love a big-band sound, we have stars like Little Charlie & the Night Cats, Lil Ed & the Blues Imperials and Anson Funderburg & the Rockets. It’s a wonderful mix of national stars that we feel people will enjoy hearing.”
The Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant is located at Court and Main streets in downtown Auburn. Admission to Sunday Night Blues Series shows is $15, with a ticket stub good for $3 off any entree night of show. Shows will start promptly at 7 p.m. and conclude at 10 p.m. For more information about the Midnight Blues Club and Restaurant, visit its Web site, www.3clubs.com.
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