The Alabama Blues Project is proud to present the next generation of Alabama blues musicians. These talented youths have shared the bill with blues greats including Dr. G.B. Burt, Sam Lay, and Sugar Blue. During The Year of Alabama Music 2011 they performed at the Sucarnochee Revue and numerous events throughout their community. Their live performances are totally exhilarating and will leave any blues fan on the edge of their seat begging for more. Beale Street lookout for the 2011 Alabama Blues Project’s- Advanced Blues Band!  alabamablues.org

Frets on Fire was the youngest act to play in the 2010 International Blues Challenge and two years later, with members ranging from 12 to 15 years old, is an experienced and widely-respected regular on the Atlanta-area live music scene. While so many young kids go for flashy guitar work, Frets on Fire is first and foremost about the groove that comes from making music as a collective, though these talented kids can light it up with the best of them. As a result, their high-energy and soulful performances entertain and inspire young and old audiences alike. Check out their 2011 all-original CD, “What’s Gone Tomorrow,” available on iTunes/Amazon/CDBaby. www.facebook.com/fretsonfireband

This band is anything but an average group of kids getting together to play some music. A performing workshop from the PA nonprofit music school, the Uptown Music Collective, they are a time capsule, paying homage to the greats of the Blues genre from Robert Johnson to modern players like Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi. Passionate performances, led by bluesman Gabe Stillman, are delivered with a playful punch in the mouth and the band comes fully stocked with driving rhythms, melodious vocals, and screaming guitar solos. The respect that these kids show to this art form is a diamond in the rough, and they won’t let anyone leave a performance feeling anything but gritty satisfaction. uptownmusic.org

Benny and the Bricks is a working four piece blues band that has been gigging in the Toledo, Ohio area since October 2010. They are the returning Black Swamp Blues Society (BSBS) youth showcase from the 2011 IBC. Band members include: Blair Tuller, Devin Krueger, David Morris, and James Gerhardt. Lead guitarist Blair, age 19, has rubbed elbows with some of the greats like Buddy Guy. Vocalist and rhythm guitarist Devin, 18, has shared a stage with Chrystal Bowersox and plays in a jazz quartet. Dave, bass player, 17, is also in The Good, The Bad and the Blues, another BSBS contestant. Drummer James, 18, has played in Glass City Steel, Toledo School for the Arts’ steel drum band, several other percussion ensembles. facebook.com/bennyandthebricks

These Boys have been cutting there teeth together ever since they met in highschool to compete for the annual Branson High Talent Show (which they won), Adam comes from south east kansas where he grew up on a farm and started his journey as a musician after receiving a tape of muddy waters from his grandpa, After receiving an electric guitar he eventually grew to love the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. Dakota Pagan an extraordinary vocalist has been singing since the age of 3. Dakota hails from taneyville Mo, and has had 10 plus years of experience singing in branson shows but has recently quit to pursue singing his original music.  none

Bad Brad & The Fat Cats are a group of young, driven musicians that play the Blues straight from their soul! With the tight rhythm section consisting of Daryl Cozzi holding it down on the drums, and Brooks Ferguson thumpin’  on the bass, combined with the intense guitar playing and powerful voice of “Bad Brad” Stivers, you will not believe what you are hearing!  Hitting the Colorado Blues scene in 2010, “Bad Brad” assembled a top notch band and they have amazed every audience since! The Fat Cats are a force to be reckoned with and will thrill any crowd with Chicago style Funk and Blues mixed with lowdown, Delta style blues.  This group has a raw passion for the Blues that is easily recognized by any group of listeners. fatcatsentertainment.com

Pett Crow, a powerhouse blues trio from Columbus, Ohio, is made up of three young accomplished musicians. But make no mistake, they aren’t just another bunch of “cute kids!” With talent beyond their years, they are a powerful presence on  the stage, and the quality of music they perform is exceptional. Drummer Brandon Pettiford, is 12 years old and also plays bass. Wes Crow, age 14, is vocalist, lead guitarist and also plays harmonica. Thirteen year old Julia Crow (sister to Wes), plays keyboard. Pett Crow is 2011’s Rising Star Winner of the Creekside Blues and Jazz Festival in Gahanna, Ohio. www.pettcrow.com

Southern Halo is the culmination of three young, talented sisters from the heart of the Mississippi Delta. Raised within ten miles of Dockery Plantation, the sister trio has grown up with strong Blues influences. Southern Halo’s indivual sound is uniquely surprising for its young members’ ages. The band’s sound is both raw and heartfelt and has been energetically well received at festivals and venues from Clarksdale to New Orleans. Southern Halo will be sure to leave you with an unforgettable performance. southernhalo.net

At just 15 years old, Bear Hutchinson is  beginning to make a name for himself in the local Annapolis, Maryland music scene.A piano player since a young boy, it is clear to all who hear him that he has a rare ability to play the piano with the passion and soul of a seasoned musician. His ability to put his signature style to every song is one of the trademarks that make this rising young star stand out. Bear was chosen to perform at Annapolis’ Music Festival in 2011.  He also attended The Berklee School of Music keyboarding workshop in Boston.  He continues to perform at public and private events. Aside from piano, Bear is an honor roll student, captain of his football team, and plays lacrosse at St. Mary’s High School.

Here is a brand new exciting band from the Bordeaux, France area. Alexis Evans was fond of Jump Blues while Thibault Ripault was into the Chicago Westside sound. That’s why they named the band : Jumpin’ to the Westside. The drummer, Bastien Cabezon is the “youngster” and is also a vocalist. In 2010 they won the Cognac Blues Passions Young and Gifted Award which allows them to release their debut album “No Kidding” with their own compositions acclaimed by critics and Blues enthusiasts. Ever since, they have played all over France in clubs and festivals. And that is only a beginning… www.jumpintothewestside.com

Trent Romens began playing guitar at a young age and was introduced to blues music when he was 11. Since then, Trent has saturated himself in the blues and the music the genre has inspired, resulting in his own music; a hybrid of rock, blues and soul. Trent’s sound combines an avalanche of styles with an emotional outpouring that injects the blues with a modern-day youthful attitude.  Now 19, Trent has burst onto the scene, playing 13 festivals and 2 headlining festival sets in his first summer season (2011)! Trent Romens’ debut album, Aware, is on the Grammy Entry List for Best Blues Album. www.trentromens.com

The Peterson Brothers from Bastrop, Tx combine the classic blues sound of many legends, mixed with a unique blend of soul-infused inspiration. Glenn (15) guitar, vocals, his brother Alex (12) bass, violin, have opened for and played with many legends. During the NGW Camp in Austin they met Rebecca Laird (19), guitar from Houston, Tx a 2-time winner – HBS Jimmy “T-99” Nelson scholarship. Cleveland Yates (10) on drums is from Memphis, Tn. Petersons were voted in the top 10 bands, 2011 Austin Music Awards, Blues, Soul and Funk! This musical combination is dedicated to “Keeping the Blues Alive”! www.petersonbrothersband.com

“Carson and The Spike Drivers” enjoy performing for audiences all over the Midwest.  Carson Diersing, (13) Hohner Harmonica’s youngest endorsees plays his harp straight from his soul, along with guitar and vocals.  Ryan Strohm (18) wows the crowd with electrifying, bluesy, guitar solos.  Joel Temple (18) has an unforgettable, thumping bass line and puts a smile on the audience’s faces with his witty personality.  Mike Janson’s (13) intuitive percussion ties the band together. carsondiersing.com

Unlimited Blues Band The band was united by local musicians and the KC Blues Society community.  Sammy Sullenger(drums)and Clayton Worley (guitar) had previously performed together and are the roots of this band.  Kayla Rodriguez became the vocalist and soon after Kayla Bowers became the bassists for the band.  This band is passionate about music, writes some original material, and plays traditional blues.  They are the pride of The Kansas City Blues Society. You won’t want to miss an opportunity to hear this band.  They are going places! Facebook

My name is Trea Rakes and i am the Lead Guitarist and Lead Vocalist in this band. This band started with me and my best friend Landon Ford who is my drummer. We got to jamming together a lot and practicing at the house because we have only had two lessons so we really just taught ourselves. My drummer and I got together with two of our other buddies and were playing but that didn’t go well so now we have narrowed the band down to me, my little brother Devin Rakes on bass, and Landon still on the drums. This is the best lineup we could ask for now that everybody in the band loves the blues. We are very into Freddie King, B.B King, Guitar Slim, Muddy Waters, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jimi Hendrix. We play all of this and I think we really know about the blues. www.youtube.com/user/MeatMyRabbits

Aaron Holder (17) guitar (Scottsville, KY), Trey Farlee (16) bass and vocals (Russellville, KY), and Ian Harper (14) drums (Bowling Green, KY) are participants in the Kentucky Blues Society youth programs.  Aaron Holder is a 2011 recipient of the Generation Blues scholarship and won a spot at Fernando Jones Columbia College Blues Camp in Chicago and is an instructor at the Scottsville Conservatory of Music.  Trey Farlee is a member of the RHS Jazz Band and Concert Band. Ian Harper is a musician/ambassador for the Young Artist Alliance. As a band, AARON, TREY & IAN are a powerful and soulful blues trio, with performance skills and blues mastery far beyond their young age.

At seven years old, Reed Smith fell in love with the blues as a student of Jackson guitarist Barry Leach.  He is now a seventeen year old senior at Clinton High School with plans of heading off to college to study music once he graduates.  Reed has been the lead guitarist for the last four years of his high school’s nationally ranked show choir, Attache.  Cody Sparkman started playing the drums at age eleven.  Cody, also a senior at CHS, has been performing for the past three years with Reed in Attache and in their band, Fides. Audiences quickly see the talent in both of these young musicians.  Reed placed 2nd in the Indianola Blues Challenge solo competition this year and in 2010.

Sit back and soak in the sweetest sounds west of the Missouri.  This is Nebraska’s blues rock at its best.  Crimson Dawn is a young band brought together by the Blues Society of Omaha and BluesEd.   Since forming in March of 2010, they have performed at many events and venues around the Omaha and Lincoln areas.   The Playing with Fire concerts and the world famous Zoo Bar are amongst those venues.  To quote critic Marq Manner, “Crimson Dawn is the best of all the burgeoning young kids and teen projects that I have seen. The girls in the band had no problem pulling off both Adele and Etta James “.   Comprised of six members ranging in ages 13 to 18, the talents and performing abilities of this band truly exceeds their years.

In September 2010, a shy 16-year-old Paul Marney Leobrera was invited onstage by a skeptical Open Mic host to sit in “for one song.”  Everyone was so impressed by his expressive and effortless blues guitar that he remained onstage all night.  Soon after, Paul invited friends Spencer Rymonte and Darwin Quinto to form the Bleu Rascals.  Within one year, the Rascals vaulted to the top of the Manila blues scene, leaving long-time professionals in amazement.  They are currently one of the most in-demand bands in Manila, regardless of genre.  Inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Albert King and  John Mayer, the Rascals also cover Little Walter, Sonny Boy Williamson and Eric Clapton, giving all their own personal touch. www.reverbnation.com/bleurascals

Triple Threat Blues Band began 5 years ago with Austin Scott, now age 15 as songwriter/lead vocalist/guitarist. Drummer Eman Montes, age 16 is not only their accomplished drummer but he also performs in a 2011 Edison TV commercial with Austin.  Caleb Tucker, age 15, bassist and back-up vocalist has dual talents, appearing on YouTube as a shuffle dancer. In 2007, Triple Threat entered a Bon Jovi music video contest and won! They got to go on stage with Bon Jovi at the L.A. Staples Center while their music video played!   Triple Threat is inspired by Stevie Ray Vaughn, Robben Ford and Jimi Hendrix among other greats who have influenced their bluesy-rock songwriting style. www.triplethreatmusic.com

Nomad is made up by three young men that are steeped in the musical rich culture of south Louisiana.  Chance Castell traded two little Debbie snack cakes for a guitar when he was around 9—got really serious about playing by 10.   When he was three, a lady who was “sensitive” saw into him and said “he’ll be different he’s gonna do something that will blow people away”.  Jacob Fitzmorris and Chance went to second grade together and were soon like brothers (along with Austin, Jacobs’s real brother). The three soon found themselves in demand playing from the roots of their southern blues and rock heritage. They participated in the New Orleans Blues Challenge and are bringing their Louisiana Blues rock vibe to the world!