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Mighty Mike Schermer
Sunday, November 18th
Special Afternoon Performance With Blues Favorite
4:00 PM, Doors Open 3:00 PM, $9/12,
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Thanksgiving in Santa Cruz comes early this year when guitar legend Mighty Mike Schermer returns Moe’s Alley for an exciting afternoon of blues and American roots music. Schermer will be in town enjoying a well-deserved break in the touring schedule of his steady gig with swamp-boogie piano legend Marcia Ball, whose smokin’ band has played over 150 shows in the past year from Portland to Poland behind the success of her recent Alligator release Roadside Attractions. A Moe’s Alley and Santa Cruz Blues Festival staple, Schermer returns home Sunday afternoon Nov. 18th, 2012 to the delight of his many fans!
Before relocating to Austin, TX in 2009 Mighty Mike Schermer was a fixture on the Bay Area blues scene for over 20 years. In that time he carved out a solid solo career with four critically acclaimed CDs, an award winning single and thousands of performances at festivals and nightclubs the world over. He also became the “go to guy” sideman for such heavyweights as Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, Maria Muldaur, Angela Strehli, Howard Tate, Charlie Musselwhite, Sista Monica, Shana Morrison and many more.
The Marin Independent Journal called Schermer “… one of the most extraordinary guitarists of the new generation.” Bluesman Tommy Castro says he is“…the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve probably never heard of.” While the aforementioned Ms. Raitt simply describes him as “ funky and authentic”. Heavy credentials for a guy who, at 45, is really just beginning his career in the blues.
To label Mighty Mike a bluesman, however, is akin to closing a good book after only reading the first chapter. What truly sets this soulful musician apart is his unique voice and, most of all, his crafty songwriting skills. His 2006 release Next Set, featuring the hit single My Big Sister’s Radio, garnered rave reviews and showed the blues world a budding songwriter whose well ran much deeper than the standard 12-bar shuffle. He has since collaborated with singers and songwriters from a variety of genres and backgrounds.
“I love the idea of fusing blues guitar playing and the overall feeling of the blues with rock and Americana song styles”, says Schermer. “Albert Collins and T-Bone Walker have influenced my playing, Ray Charles and Sam Cooke my singing, but my songwriting owes just as much to guys like John Hiatt and Elvis Costello. Austin has been great for me in that regard because there are 160 live music venues here full of fantastic pickers playing great original music. The bars for songwriting and playing are both set really high here”.
This variety of influences has helped shape Mike’s newest songs, many of which will be featured at Moe’s, into a style he describes as “rhythm and bluesicana”. He will be joined by a band of Bay Area luminaries including drummer Paul Revelli (Chuck Prophet, Joe Louis Walker), saxophonist Nancy Wright (Comander Cody, Elvin Bishop), bassist Steve Ehrmann (John Lee Hooker, Roy Rogers) and local keyboard legend Dale Ockerman (Doobie Bros., White Album Ensemble).
DON’T MISS IT! Sunday afternoon Nov 18th at 4 PM (Note early start time) |
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