The Chris Duarte Group

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

I've witnessed a lot of very good guitar players take the stage at The Double Door Inn since my first visit back in 1992, but I must say that this past Friday night, the 25th of January, I believe I listened to the best one yet. Chris Duarte is an amazing guitarist - pure and simple. His range of capability is second to none that I have personally seen. In fact, I 'd go so far as to say that he would make my top ten that I have ever heard. That's some pretty good company.

Chris and Band took the stage at the Double Door around 10:30 and played until about 12:15. I thought he had gotten lost in his music and forgot about time - and their break - but at 12:15 he took an intermission for a short time. During this intermission the band mingled with the crowd and Chris managed the tee-shirt and CD sales. Now this was not a normal sales exchange. Chris took the time to talk to everyone who came up to him. Not just sell them something but actually talk to them. I saw him sign photo's that people brought as well as sign just about everything he sold. I wanted a copy of the "Tape Trips" volume 3 - a very good double CD live compilation. Chris didn't have them out with everything else, so he grabbed the keys to the truck and went out and got them! Like I said, a very nice guy in addition to being a talented musician.

The second set was very special as Chris decided to indulge himself in some fantastic guitar playing. In fact, the last song went for at least 30 minutes. Joseph and Jeff are to be commended for staying with Chris during that set! Several times they just looked at each other and you could tell they were just jamming as they went - with Chris deep in his music putting on a show I will not soon forget.

Obviously I highly recommend that you take advantage of any opportunity you get to see Chris live. It will be an experience that you'll thank me for recommending.

Cheers,

Monty


http://www.montychandler.com/

Anthony Gomes - Jan 12 2008

Anthony Gomes

About a month ago as I was skimming through the upcoming live music calendar for the Double Door Inn I noticed that Anthony Gomes was scheduled to be in town on Jan 12th. I updated my outlook calendar to be sure I was reminded of that show. So when Saturday evening rolled around I went to the Double Door a bit early. First I wanted to try to get a seat up front to take a few photos and I also wanted to keep tabs on the score of the Patriots game. Anyway, my anticipation of this show was met by the delivery of Anthony as he has certainly not lost his zeal for entertaining with the blues. As he says - music is the medicine..

As in previous shows I have seen, Anthony played a brilliant blues guitar, complete with his ballads, blistering guitar play and a bit of rock and gospel blended in to keep it real. Anthony has a new live CD coming out in February. He played a number of the new songs this Saturday night - enough that I've put a reminder on the claendar to order me a copy next month. I'd suggest you do the same.

Members of the band are: Anthony Gomes on lead guitar and lead vocals; David Karns on Bass; Peter Lang on Drums; Dylan St. John on Keyboards. Anthony's home page is here.

Photo's of Saturdays show are in the Musicians portfolio on MontyChandler.com

Cheers,

Monty

King Johnson Band

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The King Johnson Band performed at Charlotte's Double Door Inn on Friday, Feb 24th, '06.

This six musician band hails from the Atlanta area. The King Johnson Band features a rich mixture of New Orleans Blues, a shake of Jazz, a soulful dash of funk, a pinch of Rock, and a little bit of country as these six regional musicians bring their individual talents to a mixed sound that is pleasing to even the most critical ear.

A uniqueness that this group brings is that the band is not about a single standout musician supported by the rest of the team, but rather it is the team that makes the sound which stands as the representation of the band itself. A very refreshing performance!

Band members are:

Oliver Wood - Lead Guitar/Vocals
Chris Long - Bass/Vocals
Marcus James - A stunning Saxophone!
Adam Mewherter - Trombone
Greg Baba - Drums/Percussions
Chris Uhler - Congas/Percussions

The link at the top will bring you to photo's of Fridays show. Hope you enjoy.

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Jimmy Thackery & The Drivers

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

After his recent separation with the Nighthawks and completing his last two projects - Whiskey Store w/ Tab Benoit & Healin' Ground - Jimmy has gone back to his 3 piece band roots grinding out smokin' blues tunes.

He is back on the road promoting these projects and treating his fans to some quality blues face time. He is joined by his drummer of many years - Mark Stutso - and has picked up an awesome bass player in Mark Bumgartner.

This three piece blues band will rock your socks off as well as sooth your soul with peaceful ballads.

Jimmy Thackery - Lead Guitar & Vocals
Mark Stutso - Drums & Vocals
Mark Bumgartner - Bass

The above link will take you to photo's of his live performance at the Double Door Inn on 17 December 2005..

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues are a band out of South Carolina who in late 2005 won the Charlotte Blues Society (CBS) "blues contest" and as such will be sponsored by the CBS in the 22nd International Blues Challenge to be held in Memphis in Jan 2006 - which Mac has adamantly stated they will WIN!!.

Mac has a long history in the world of Blues, spending a great deal of time in Chicago playing Bass with the likes of Muddy Waters, B.B. King and The Temptations.

The band consists of Mark McMakin on bass and vocals; Austin Brashier on guitar and vocals; Max Hightower on keyboards, harmonica and guitar; and Mike Whitt on drums.

Mac credits Max Hightower with the patience, wisdom and perseverance it took to pull this band together. The band agreed that the patience required to wait until it could all come together was well worth it, as they have found the sound they like with some extremely talented musicians who are equally passionate about their music and the blues.

Having come up with the band name through natural connection realized in eating loads of Mac's cooking and considering the surgical utensils implanted in Mac over the years - Plate Full O' Blues stuck. The name is very appropriate as the band serves up heaping helpings of old fashion, down to earth blues with a definitive Chicago blues style in keeping with Mac's roots in blues music.

Hope you get a chance to check out this wonderful blues band..... You'll be glad you did...

The link at the top will bring you to photos taken of Mac Arnold & Plate Full O' Blues @ the Double Door Inn helping The Charlotte Blues Society celebrate the 2005 Holiday Season on Dec 4 2005.

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Hadden Sayers

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Hadden Sayers returned to the Double Door Inn on Friday, Dec 2nd '05. This was the 2nd time I had seen Hadden perform live - the previous performance was June 25th '05 @ the Double Door. This time was different for me since I have had his CD's for the past several months - and I have of course listened to them more than a few times. Last time I was somewhat awestruck - sitting there listening to his music for the first time live will leave you a little dazed - but this time I found myself singing along and keeping time..

Something else dawned on me as well. As part of Haddens "fan club" I get some emails at times from people who ponder why Hadden does not seem to get the recognition and draw the crowds that some of his "contemporaries" appear to attract - basically we love his music and wonder why everyone else doesn't seem to feel the same passion!! Perhaps because I have seen so many blues performances over the past couple of months, it seemed to me that Hadden was far more "rock-n-roll" in his set than many of the other musicians on the circuit. I guess it is the Texas style coming out that struck me as different about Hadden. Could it be that his particular style is less popular than some of the others - or does my love for the rock style overshadow his level of development need? Not sure, but it will be interesting to watch as time goes on.

As I inferred, the crowd was not nearly as large this night as I had expected it would be but, as I remembered back to the June show - it wasn't jam packed that night either. The folks who were at the Double Door Friday night saw a wonderful show in an atmosphere that was very comfortable - yet was electric as Hadden Sayers blues poured from the band for over two hours.. Hadden and the boys were spot on in their timing, tone and tunes! And they had fun too..

As always, feel free to drop me a line either as a comment here or via email from my website..

Until next time..

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Tinsley Ellis

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Tinsley, The Evil One, JB & Todd paid another visit to the Double Door Inn on Saturday night, the 26th of November 2005. It has been 5 months since Tinsley was in town, and this Thanksgiving crowd was surely glad to welcome him back. A lively crowd danced, hooted & hollered as Tinsley and the band provided a heaping helping of down home blues - and we all gave thanks!!

Tinsley played a pretty standard set, alternating between his older tunes and some of the songs featured on his Live Highwayman album. Basically the package deal delivered on time, in tune, up front and personal.

Enjoy the photos - Maybe put a Tinsley track on the PC as you view at your leisure.

I posted these a little different than in most of my portfolio - click on the thumbnails and you'll get a larger version than I generally provide. I'm trying something new in my attempt to improve the viewing experience within my gallery. Let me know what you think..

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Delta Moon

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

18 Nov 2005, the revised Delta Moon came to the Double Door Inn.

This revision features Kristin Markiton - a very talented singer whose voice was made to sing the blues.

This was my first time hearing Delta Moon with their revised line-up of musicians. With drummer Scott Callison and bassist Phil Skipper - both formally with Tinsley Ellis - on the team, Delta Moon rocks more now than ever before..

Check out the photo's at the link on the top of this post. Of course you can learn more about Delta Moon at their website www.deltamoon.com

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Contagious Blues Band

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Contagious Blues Band is a power trio band that has played all over North and South Carolina since 1999. Guitarist Zack Rosicka (from Ft.Walton Beach, FL) brings monstrous tone and electrifying energy to every show. Drummer Junior Howell (from Gastonia, NC) lays down the solid back-beat & "brings the goods" when it comes to powering the super-tight rhythm section. After adding the thunderous bass of Jim Bolt (from Anderson, SC), the band is more powerful than ever.

Contagious Blues has been recognized as Charlotte 's Best Blues Band and represented Charlotte at the International Blues Competition in Memphis, TN. Recently the band has been selected as the official Smokin' Bluz house band for the Fox Smokin' Blues radio program that airs on Charlotte's 99.7 WRFX .

The link above takes you to photos taken of Contagious' performance at the Double Door on Nov 5th 2005.

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Teresa James

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Teresa James was featured in the November 2005 Charlotte Blues Society newsletter - that was my initial introduction. The article described a native Texan from Houston who has spent the past few years out in Los Angeles creating a sound for herself and her band (The Rhythm Tramps). This "Roadhouse Rock" sound created by a 5 piece band was said to consist of combinations of blues, rock and country. Well that was enough to intrigue me and off to the Double Door I went that Friday night!
As a member of the Charlotte Blues Society, I knew that if they were going out of their way to promote this band, then there was certainly to be fireworks in the house! And true to form, this band delivered to the standards of the Double Door! Teresa' raspy voice delivers in gospel, country, blues and "Roadhouse Rock"..

The link above takes you to photos of her live performance at the Double Door Inn on 4 Nov 2005.

Cheers,

Monty

www.montychandler.com

Bill Sheffield

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Atlanta's Bill Sheffield paid another visit to Charlotte's Double Door Inn this past Saturday night - Oct 8th, 2005..

The attendees were treated to an acoustic set (3 actually) which was truly done in Bills own way as he made himself at home in this familiar venue. The first set featured many of Bills own songs - folk songs, ballads, and top-notch guitar picking. The rest of the night was a blend that included blues, a bit of rock and even a little country as Bills diverse skills were highlighted throughout the evening.

The link above contains photo's from the performance for your viewing pleasure. Hopefully they give you an indication of the fun had by all.

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Angie Rikard

http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

Angie Rikard and her band played at the Double Door Inn on September 23rd, 2005. Prior to this, I had not heard of Angie. Must have my head buried under a rock, or somewhere else dark, because I truly should have known of her. Angie is a local Charlotte blues artist who is very talented. Before she started her performance I asked Mark, the sound-guy at the Double Door, if he knew of Angie. He looked at me and said "hell yes, she sings her ass off!" It wasn't 15 minutes later that I knew why he was so enthusiastic in his reply. Angie took the stage and begun her act, singing her heart out and dancing the entire time. If blues comes from the soul and is reflected in your movement, then Angie is a blues magician.

I'm always amazed at the never ending string of talented musicians who have dedicated themselves to performing live music and sharing the diversity of talent. Angie is no exception as she is soulful in her blues and country in her folk music as well. For a couple of her folksy songs, I thought I was in the Blue Ridge Mountains listening to a home-girl with family and friends as the Double Door audience moved tables and chairs aside so they could dance along with the foot stomping melodies.

Enjoy the photo's.

Cheers,

Monty
www.montychandler.com

Delta Moon

Photo by: Monty Chandler
http://www.montychandler.com/Musicians.htm

"Delta Moon formed in the late 1990s when Mark Johnson, Tom Gray, and Gina Leigh all lived within a few blocks of each other in Atlanta's Inman Park neighborhood. The three got together regularly in Mark's living room to work up arrangements of classic blues and original songs for two slide guitars and voices. Soon, joined by a rotating cast of percussionists, drummers, and bassists, the band was playing in festivals and nightclubs around Atlanta and neighboring cities. Following the March 2002 release of their debut CD, "Delta Moon," the band started ranging farther from home, energizing audiences with their powerful stage show and a sound that is both fresh and immediately accessible. In January 2003 Delta Moon won the International Blues Competition in Memphis, and in June of that year released "Live." After a year of touring in North America and England, in June 2004 the band released its third CD, "Goin' Down South." Drummer Scott Callison has been with the band since fall 2003. In fall 2004 Gina left the band, and six weeks later Kristin Markiton joined Delta Moon. Phil Skipper on bass joined in summer 2005, to complete the lineup that appears on Delta Moon's new CD, "Howlin'," set for release in September 2005." - Deltamoon.com website bio

Delta Moon has been to the Double Door Inn on several occasions and are a favorite of the Charlotte Blues Society. The following photos were taken during their performance at The Double Door on July 17, 2004.

Cheers

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