Kenny Blackwell: The Vintage Sounds of Guitar and Mandolin
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CC Riders

C.C. Riders

C.C. Riders are Louie Ortega, Dorian Michael, Kenny Blackwell, and Ken Hustad. This new combo has killed it at the venues where they have busted out their fun blend of blues, roots rock, and Tejano tunes. Singer-songwriter Louie Ortega is best known nationally and internationally for his unobtrusive yet fortifying guitar licks and the warm, smooth vocals behind such groups as the Sir Douglas Quintet and the Texas Tornados. Dorian Michael has been a working (and working class) guitarist for over 40 years, playing blues, folk, jazz and rock and roll. Kenny Blackwell continues to expand the role of the mandolin outside of traditional bluegrass, while building upon his retro-rock guitar roots in this group. Bass master Ken Hustad holds down the bottom, and outside of the C.C. Riders he can be seen playing in jazz and symphonic settings.

HayDudes

HayDudes

The HayDudes are Kenny Blackwell on mandolin, guitar, vocals; Mike Mullins on guitar, mandolin, vocals; and Wally Barnick on Fender bass and vocals. Kenny Blackwell is a master mandolinist as well as guitar player, on both acoustic and electric guitar. He is an in-demand session player and keeps a full calendar playing with at least a half dozen bands in and around the Central Coast of California. Mike Mullins is also expert with the mandolin and guitar. He was a founding member of the 1980’s festival favorites The Acousticats and for many years the featured mandolinist with the Phil Salazar Band. Since 1993 Mike has played guitar with the well known California acoustic group The Cache Valley Drifters. Wally Barnick is an old rock & roll guy who caught the acoustic music fever in the ‘70s. He too, is currently and has been a member of the Cache Valley Drifters, dating back to 1975. LEARN MORE.

Little Black Train

Little Black Train

What do you get when you mash up a virtuosic bluegrass mandolinist, a traditional Irish fiddler, and an old-timey songster? Kenny Blackwell (mandolin and guitar), John Weed (fiddle), and Stuart Mason (guitar, banjo, and mandola) are the bluegrass-roots trio Little Black Train. From Depression-era gospel and blues to Appalachian and Celtic dance tunes, they perform a fun, refreshing fusion of vintage fiddle tunes, blazing mandolin, and songs of old-time Americana. “Each of these three is amazingly accomplished, but something magical happens when they play together, their instruments swirling around one another like curls of smoke from a smoldering fire. This is old-time music at its most riveting!” –-Glen Starkey, New Times SLO. LEARN MORE.
The Mystery Trees

The Mystery Trees

The Mystery Trees

The Mystery Trees are a rocking contemporary band, serving up their own gritty brand of deeply rooted American music. Their unique sound is built upon blues, country, rock, folk, and bluegrass traditions. Progenitors of the emerging Morro Bay Sound, the lineup includes Dorian Michael and Kenny Blackwell on guitars, Bill Severance on drums, and Paul Olguin/Ken Hustad on bass. Each player brings a lifetime of musical know-how to the ensemble. Experience the new Morro Bay Sound: dance, drink or have a spiritual revelation -- whatever your inclination. LEARN MORE.

The Demos

The Demos

The Demos

Take some authentic country, add a dash of retro rhythm 'n blues, blend in a pinch of tremolo-tinged surf. Then ask four seasoned musicians to make it sound good, and voila! you're talkin' "The Demos!" Rarely does such a diverse range of music happen in one place at one time, but this group makes it all feel smooth and sound natural. LEARN MORE.
Kenny Blackwell & Dorian Michael

Kenny Blackwell & Dorian Michael

Mandolinist Kenny Blackwell wanted a chance to play outside of the bluegrass genre, where he is constantly in demand. Guitarist Dorian Michael was looking for a skillfull musician who understood a wide variety of roots music. The duo's diverse backgrounds are the wellspring for a performance of exciting and heartfelt music. Their enthusiasm for making music and their respect for their audience is plainly evident whenever they perform. Says Dorian, "Some music makes you feel deeply, some music makes you think and some tunes are played just for the sheer fun of it. We like to try to get to all those places in the space of a concert." LEARN MORE.




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