Don't Miss This Opportunity to Hear...

Junior Watson

High-Energy Blues Guitar Master
To Play Three Portland-Area Dates

Despite playing the role of perennial sideman, often in very fine bands, Mike "Junior" Watson was and is one of the most influential Blues guitarists of his generation. His abilities range seemingly in every traditional Electric Blues style, while injecting his own personal spontaneous touch, interspersed with his eccentric sense of humor.

Numerous accolades from the print media can be found, calling Junior Watson: "...the best Blues guitarist now working..." and "...one of the best guitar players ever to play the Blues."

He has been called a master of the fat-toned guitar sound and has a large, impressive resume.

With nearly 30 years of experience and considered a true guitar original, Junior Watson has reached cult status. Junior has done what all great artists have done: melding diverse styles to create a style all his own. With such a wide array of influences, he has truly created one of the most unique and original guitar voices to come along in years. His energy and playing gives one a feeling of reckless abandon. He once described that playing "like a train off the tracks."

After starting out with harpist Gary Smith in Northern California in the '70s, he teamed with Rod Piazza's Mighty Flyers for 11 years, where he was instrumental in injecting the Chicago-styled Blues band with ample doses of swing. Along the way, he gigged with Charlie Musselwhite, Jimmy Rogers, Luther Tucker and others, eventually joining the '80s edition of Canned Heat, with whom he continues to tour.

Over his career he has backed up and recorded with a who's-who of the Blues: Big Mama Thornton, George Smith, Jimmy Rogers, Shakey Jake, Luther Tucker, Charlie Musselwhite, Kim Wilson, William Clark and many more on this extensive list. Junior is considered one of the best Blues session guitarists and has appeared on over 40 albums, including three of Kim Wilson's solo releases.

In the past, Junior has always been the sideman or featured artist. For the first time in his career, he has a band that is taking the back seat and having Junior do all of the driving. This fact alone is quite exciting and when unleashed, Junior will prove to the rest of the community what his cult status is all about. His first solo album, "Long Overdue," on Black Top Records is a guitar instrumental classic.

Now, after telling you all about this fine guitarist, it is a real thrill for me to announce three upcoming opportunities for "reckless abandon" on the following occasions:

Wednesday, July 3^rd - Bacchus Restaurant
3200 SE 164^th Ave. in Vancouver
360-882-9672

Friday, July 5^th - Chicago Blues
109 W 15^th Street in Vancouver
360-735-0600

Don't Miss This Opportunity to Hear...

Junior Watson

Rose Allen