Vicksburg Blues Challenge 2016 |
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GREG ROBINSON Jr.
SOLO
Guitar and Vocals |
Greg Robinson Jr. is a vocalist and acoustic guitarist. His musical style is a smooth mix of blues, the swamp-picking sound of Louisiana and the classic drone bass beat of Mississippi. Greg's family is from Summit, Mississippi. He was born in Metairie, Louisiana and raised in Ferriday. Beginning his career in Natchez, MS, he performs throughout the region. |
Family from Summit, Mississippi |
Current City: Ferriday, LA
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DWAYNE WATKINS HolyGhostGuitar
Dwayne Watkins - Guitar and Vocals
Sherry Milton - Keyboards
Alisha Cruthirds – Bass
Maya Kyles - Drums
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Dwayne Watkins is a singer, songwriter and producer. Born with a musical gift, he learned on his own and studied guitar, piano, music composition and theory at Hinds Community College. Dwayne has toured extensively and has appeared at pretigious venues such as The Apollo Theater, House of Blues, Montrose Jazz Festival in Switzerland and many international venues. He has received numerous awards, including BET and two Grammy nominations. Dwayne is President, Founder and CEO of Holy Ghost Guitar Entertainment. He is credited with creating a sound known as “Gos-Blues”.
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Jeff Stewart – Vocals
Ken Fleming – Drums and Vocals
John Miller - Bass and Vocals
Bo Denton – Keyboard and Guitar and Vocals
Nick Massey – Guitar and Vocals |
Raised in the mossy covered red clay hills of East Central Mississippi, these guys live out the Blues every day. Made up of weekend artists and seasoned pros with Nashville experience, this is a fun-loving hometown band with worldwide ambition. |
Philadelphia, Mississippi
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BLUES MAN McKINNEY WILLIAMS
SOLO - Guitar and Vocals
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Blues Man McKinney Williams plays an authentic front porch Blues style that is "the" sound of the Mississippi Delta. His self-taught guitar method and powerful bare hand slide technique is captivating. Blues Man has played at many treasured Blues venues, including the legendary Queen of Hearts, Hal & Mal's and more. With his roots in Gospel, his music resonates with feeling. |
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Hometown: Lexington, MS (Lives in Jackson, MS)
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SAM JOYNER
1st Place WINNER 2016
Solo/Duo Division
Vicksburg Blues Challenge
SOLO - Piano and Vocals |
Sam Joyner, born and bred on Chicago Blues, is internationally known for his fusion of Blues, R&B, and Jazz styling. Sam performs regularly at Spirits on Bourbon in New Orleans, and Teddy’s Juke Joint in Zachary, LA. Performing solo keyboards/vocals and with his band and other prominent groups in the region keeps him on the move. His original music is a combination of Delta Swamp Blues, Chicago Urban Blues, and New Orleans style with a mixture of the old and new. Joyner has toured the Pacific Islands and Asia, and helped establish the Micronesian Blues Society where blues continues to thrive, and now his musical journey continues. |
Sam claims family roots in Snuff Box, Mississippi. |
Current City: Zachery, Louisiana
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DR. DEE
Deshon Shed “Dr. Dee” - Lead Vocals
Donovan Scott - Keys
Erick Cages - Drums
Carlos Henson - Bass
David Jackson - Guitar
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With a smooth and soulful vocal style, Dr. Dee reaches his fans' emotions. He just returned from a tour in France where he, of all places, connected with some treasured traditional soul Blues tunes. You'll hear his soul Blues style in top form as he performs Freddy Fender and Ray Charles favorites, as well as his original material. |
Welcome back to the Challenge Dr. Dee! |
Hometown: Gloster, Mississippi (Current City Pasadena, TX)
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KEITH JOHNSON
and BIG MUDDY
1st Place WINNER 2016
Band Division
Vicksburg Blues Challenge
Keith Johnson - Lead Vocals and Guitar
Jessie Short - Bass
Larry Milton - Drums (Left Handed)
Chancellor Cain - Keyboards |
Keith Johnson is a 23 year-old guitar player and singer. He attends Delta State University and will graduate in December 2016. His studies include music industries and audio engineering. He has played in local Mississippi blues venues and churches for the past several years. Surrounding himself with masterful musicians, he intends to make music his future. Keith comes from a long line of blues artists and is very proud of his Delta roots. |
Keith's got the coveted Delta Blues pedigree. He is the grand-nephew of Muddy Waters. |
Hometown: Glen Allan, MS (Current City: Cleveland, Mississippi) |
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