Michael Burks brought his own smoke to the Double Door Inn Saturday night

Little did any of us know that Michael Burks' star would rise so far so fast when we witnessed his blue collar working grind on stage earlier last decade. This blues master gained national recognition in 2001 with the release of "Make It Rain" and showed it was not a fluke with his 2003 release of "I Smell Smoke".

And so with the release of his latest work "Iron Man", Michael is potentially positioning himself for legend status one day. Charlotte blues music fans had the opportunity to witness this legend in the making Saturday night at the Double Door Inn. From the size of the crowd, I'm guessing that almost all of them made it out to the show. The DDI was a sea of shuffling blues fans listening to a Blues Master put on a show.

A few photos of the show.

Read on for the rest of the story...

Cheers,

Monty

Contagious Blues Band

Contagious Blues Band

Charlotte Blues Society’s Blues Challenge Winners -- Triangle Blues Society’s Blues Challenge Winners -- 2008 “Blues Kings of Beale Street” Memphis, TN -- 2008 Charlotte Music Awards“ Best Blues Band”

These are a few of the accolades and awards bestowed upon this group of very hard working and talented musicians who are representing Charlotte - and of course themselves - in the 2009 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Feb 5th through 7th (this week!!!).

This Saturday nights performance was a send off and fundraiser for the band and what a hot show it was. The DDI was jam-packed with blues fans appreciating the soulful art produced by this talented foursome. Junior Howell on drums is the heartbeat of Contagious and Jim Bolt is the soul on Bass. The lighting bolts that add the winning dimensions to this band are the two guitarists - Joey Recchio on slide and Hank Shell shredding the lead. These four guys come together producing the heart-pounding rhythm and soul-searching harmonies of a truly great southern rock blues band.

Being at the show was the only way to truly understand how much these guys love their trade and truly appreciate the people who support them in what they love to do. Best of luck to them this weekend, but no matter what they're number one in our hearts as Charlotte's pick for top blues band. Couldn't happen for a better group of guys!!

Some photos from the show can be seen here..

Cheers,

Monty

The Stellas & Lindy Dobbins

Saturday, Dec 6th Lindy Dobbins & The Red Velvet Manx held the CD release party for their first full length CD, entitled "A Year In Maine One Month" (perhaps Lindy can explain the title?).

The event was held just after breakfast Saturday - at 3 in the afternoon with The Stellas opening. An instant wake-up as the Stellas performed their electrifying brand of rock-n-roll. It may have been early, but Adam and the guys were in time, on key and highly energized! (Photos from The Stellas show)

With a nice crowd at the Double Door to show some love, Lindy and the band played a high octane, hour long, set featuring songs from the CD as well as a couple from the EP which are featured anew. "Power of One" stood out for me! (Photos from Lindy's show)

All in all a great Saturday afternoon of music at The Double Door.

If you were there, what did you think?

Cheers,

Monty

Analog Daze

The local Charlotte band, Analog Daze, performed at The Double Door Inn on Tuesday night filling in for a band that cancelled. This three piece rock band mixes it up with some hard rock tunes and 70's style ballads.

Here's what they have to say about themselves from their MySpace page:

"Analog Daze was born out of frustration, combustion, and boredom in the spring of 2006. Heralding this Charlotte, NC based power-trio into orbit is front man, Kenny “KJ” Johnson, who beyond being the “voice” of the group brings amazing bass guitar in the vain of Sting and Paul McCartney to the Group. Craig Hanks, the resident guitar slinger (and charismatic irritant) loves all the jangly power pop stuff and spouts Paul Westerberg as if he was reciting some lost religion. Steve Coward is the puppy of the group, both as the youngest member and as our very own stick thrower. That said, he plays the drums like a crazed chinchilla! The big question is, “what do you guys sound like?” Just picture if the Beatles, U2, the Replacements, Modest Mouse, Richard Hell, Weezer, The Cure, The Killers, and REM all got together and had a wild alien love child - That’s Analog Daze. We have been compared to all of these band and more but really consider ourselves to be a combination of the late 60’s songwriting mixed with the raw energy of 70’s punk with a healthy dose of Brit-pop sensibility. See for yourself, make your own judgments – we are certain that what you will find are catching, well written pop songs that will have you tapping your feet as the sound punches you in the gut!"

Yes, that's a mouthful - and perhaps a bit of some trippin' in descriptive language, but they will have you tapping your toes.

Photo's from the show can be found via this link.

Cheers,

Monty Chandler