Biography
Born and raised in Pittsburgh Pa, Barbara has had the blues since the day she was born. She has performed with various top notch artists such as: Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band, Jeff Healey, Marcia Ball, Delbert McClinton, Maceo Parker, Al Jackson, Pinetop Perkins, James Cotton, Tab Benoit, The Nighthawks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Big Mike Griffin, Rev. Billy Wertz,Trudy Lynn, Carol Frann, Gay Adegbaloba, Zack Harmon and Candye Kane. From Pittsburgh to Detroit, Chicago, Boston, New Orleans, LA, The Caribbean and Memphis. Since forming her own band in 1989, Barbara has been progressing right up blues alley.
With the release of her Debut CD "OUT OF THE BLUE", Barbara has reached a wider audience of blues lovers world wide. Now residing in Memphis Tennessee and performing nightly on historical Beale Street for the past 13+ years, Barbara's understanding and cultivation of the Blues is deeper and richer than ever. Barbara has also accomplished studio recordings for Sony Records Nickelodeon project "Peanutbutter and Jam" (Many thanks to the late great Tom Pompesello) and the theme song for "Lucille's Car Care Clinic" a national cable TV show. Ripete Records is preparing to release a compilation CD containing Barbara's cover of Denise LaSalle's "MAN SIZE JOB" July '06. Ripete caters to the R&B DJ's of America, Beach & Dance clubs.
The 14th Annual Janis Joplin Birthday Bash - Jan. 20, 2001 What an honor it was to be chosen as the tribute singer for this wild weekend bash in Janis' home town of Port Arthur, Texas. There in the Civic Center of Port Arthur, 2000 fans from around the world, fellow classmates and locals with claim to fame stories about Janis and this very historic time in the 60's gathered to remember their precious star who thought they didn't care. There was also an induction ceremony for the Museum of the Gulf coast. And to my surprise it was a very cool place tucked away in this tiny Texas town (learn more at Port Arthur Attractions). Janis' Porsche rests here along with other memorabilia of days gone by. This year there were a few new inductees, such as Lonnie Brooks (Guitar Jr.) and The Fabulous Boogie Kings.
I had the great pleasure to meet Barbara Lynn, a Beaumont native and Hall of Fame inductee, who is most famous for her song "You'll Lose a Good Thing", which I am known to sing every once in awhile. Also in attendance were Long John Hunter, another prior Hall of Fame inductee, and Jerry LaCroix, a local Beaumont performer who has been associated with Johnny Winter and The White Trash Band; Blood, Sweat and Tears and also The Fabulous Boogie Kings. It was a great night of music. There were five other bands performing throughout the evening. I was backed by The Beat Daddys, a band out of Mobile, Alabama. I went on about 10:30, though I was scheduled around 9:15. But what a production schedule! :) Anyhooooo, Many thanks to Terry my bartender at BB Kings for his GREAT advice, "Don't forget to pull a bottle of Southern Comfort out on the stage!" WOW, as soon as I did everyone in the crowd who had their bottle concealed just pulled it out and we had a big ol' toast to Pearl. I also want to thank all of my friends and associates for their undying encouragement, "You're gonna blow them away!"
They were right. It was reported to me several times by folks who boasted being there for all 14 Birthday Bashes, "You're the best we've ever seen!" Music to my ears… Barbara Down Under Barbara has ventured down under to Australia delighting crowds of all ages. She completed her first official Australian Tour (Sep. 25 - Nov. 13, 2000). What a wonderful success and adventure. From Sydney to Port Hedland, the music energized and mesmerized the "Land of Oz".
Nov 2010 Barbara will be returning to AUSTRALIA ( Melbourne, Bridgetown & Perth) Check out the schedule page on her official website www.barbarablue.com In the year 2006….. Barbara released her 3rd CD with Taj Mahal's Phantom Blues Band, titled: LOVE Money Can't Buy. The reviewers claim it to be her best work to date. We here at BIG Blue Records are VERY excited about this.
2007 Blues Awards….. Barbara Blue recieved her first Blues Award Nomination in the category of: Contemporary Female Artist of the Year!! 2008…. Barbara released her first every "LIVE" Recording!! Recordings of 4 LIVE shows @ Silky O'Sullivan's where Barbara has been performing 5 nights a week since 1997, captured the essence of Barbara's true entertainment abilities and produced a collection of 3 LIVE CD's check them out ….. YOU GONNA LIKE IT!!!
Members:
Only the best baby, only the best. ~ Nat Kerr at the piano for the past 14 years at Silky O'Sullivans….. we do various other gigs together and Nat joins the band when the budget affords him. As of May 2010 Robert Mache is on Guitar, either Dave Smith or Zack Farley on Bass, Steve Potts or Shane Carr on Drums, Lannie McMIllan or Kirk Smothers on Saxophones. Depending on the show, there can always be the additon of various Back-Hoe's and special guest players .
Influences:
Not in any particular order: John Lee Hooker, Robert Johnson, Janis, Jimmie, Jim, Bessie Smith, Sarah Vaughn, Dinah Washington, Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Bette Carter, Alberta Hunter, Memphis Minnie, Mable John, Carla Thomas, Irma Thomas, Ruth Brown, Carol Fran, KoKo Taylor, Etta James, Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon, Jimmy Rogers, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Albert King, Albert Collins, Wilson Pickett, Sam & Dave, Booker T. & The MG's, The Staple Singers, Mavis Staple, Little Milton, Taj Mahal, Mike Finnigan, Johnny Lee Schell, John Porter, Bonnie Raitt, Jesse Mae Hemphill, Bobby Blue Bland, Jimmy Witherspoon, Elvis, Johnny Cash, Ronnie Earl, Kim Wilson, Denise LaSalle, Marica Ball………The 50's, 60's & 70's.
Sounds Like:
Barbara Blue and nobody else. Ever heard the roof blown off a juke joint? Well, that gives you an idea. ….
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