05/20/13 NEW MUSIC - Isaiah B Brunt

Back In April of 2012, Isaiah B Brunt joined me for the first time and we discussed his life as a musician and producer in Australia and listened to music from his EP.

On this night, Isaiah brought his latest release Nursery Rhyme Blues for us to hear and it is a collection of music that will transport you back to the blues of the 20's.

05/20/13 RB Stone Sat On The Couch

RB Stone is one heck of a musician and he is patient too!

We have been circling each other for a year and finally got to do this interview - and perfect timing as RB's new album - his 16th, Loosen Up - is just hitting and it is special!

05/20/13 Patrick McLaughlin Sat On The Couch

Guitar lovers everywhere follow Patrick McLaughlin, the guitarist’s guitar player, who brings unique musicianship and electrifying songwriting to the blues experience.

I got to sit with Patrick and discuss his career and his desires.

05/20/13 Hilda Lamas Sat On The Couch

Hilda Lamas began singing at the age of 4 and continued to do so in social settings. While in college getting her degree in Biology, music again came calling and this time Hilda answered.

I sat with Hilda and we traced her history from where she began, singing in that church at age 4 to today.

Charlie West Blues Fest - Festival Partner

This year, Music On the Couch has been fortunate to partner with some wonderful festivals around the country.

Interesting enough, so many "Couch Kids" are playing these festivals. Coincidence? Honestly, I am not sure...but I am grateful.

This weekend is The Charlie West Blues Fest at the new band shell at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston, West Virginia.

This weekend of wonderful music put on by the West Virginia Blues Society and has a special purpose...to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project and to honor our troops...what can be better than that!?

This is from their website:

The Charlie West Blues Fest is a tribute to our military and their families. We want them to know they are loved.
The Fest is produced in the vein of a old-fashioned USO show, giving everyone the opportunity to show their appreciation and support for our troops and families.
They give a lot to their country; it's our turn to show that we care for them.
Charleston (aka “Charlie West”) is also home to the 130th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia National Guard and many young men and women from this area are far away from home serving and protecting our country.
For those causes, their families also make great sacrifices- financial and emotional.
Lest We Forget is a valued sponsor, and will be on hand with an info booth for the

public as well as for troops and their loved ones. They will have info on depression, PTSD, suicide prevention, and other topics of interest to military families.

The Wounded Warrior Project's mission is "To Honor And Empower Wounded Warriors" and their purpose is to:

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members. 
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other. 
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members.

This year the show includes the following artists:
(where applicable, I have added links to their appearance on Music On The Couch)
On Friday: Ana Popovic, Davina & The Vagabonds, Bryan Lee & The Blues Power Band, Kristine Jackson, Lil Malcolm & the House Rockers

On Saturday:  Kim Wilson & The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Grand Marquis, Southern Hospitality, Tinsley Ellis, Mud Morganfield, Mojo Theory and KG Blues.

This weekend is so much more than the concert.  There are crafts and There is even a Golf Tournament on Thursday!

The event is FREE, but there are VIP packages available which you can examine at their website (SOLD-OUT already!).

Jack Rice, President of the WV Blues Society, Producer and Founder of the CWBF , said, "I came up with the idea in 2006. Being a Vietnam Vet myself, I wanted to do something for our troops and veterans, as well as their families. Now, with our partnership with the Wounded Warrior Program and a charity Golf Tournament in full swing. We are making a real impact and getting the message out, as well as having a great time doing it."

GREAT MUSIC...GREAT CAUSE...GREAT LOCATION...What more could you ask for from a festival!

Music On The Couch is honored to be associated with The Charlie West Blues Fest.  If you are going, look for our banner on the stage wings!

05/13/13 NEW MUSIC - Keaton Simons

Keaton Simons joined me back in June of 2012 to discuss his debut album.

His new album Beautiful Pain was just released and he is bringing it to The Couch with him.

05/13/13 Sena Ehrhardt Sits On The Couch

Sena Ehrhardt grew up in Minnesota with a blues-loving, guitar-playing dad, so it is no surprise when she followed in his footsteps into music.

Her first album, Leave The Light On, earned her a Blues Music Award Nomination for Best Debut Artist.

05/13/13 Sterling Koch Sat On The Couch

Sterling Koch is a nationally recognized lap steel guitarist who is a touring/recording solo artist and session musician.

Sterling specializes in playing Chicago-style, slide guitar blues in a contemporary style on the lap steel guitar. His latest album, Let It Slide is a collection of some sweet music.

05/13/13 Frank Bang Sat On The Couch

Frank Bang spent 5 years touring with Buddy Guy, has played on stage with Eric Clapton, Dave Matthews and Carlos Santana to name a few.

He released 4 albums, and then took time off to raise his family. Now he and his band Secret Stash are back making music.

05/06/13 NEW MUSIC From Gina Sicilia

Gina Sicilia originally came and Sat On The Couch back in May of 2011 to discuss her sky-rocketing career.

She even came by a few months back to pitch her Indiegogo campaign to raise funds to help promote her new album and tonight, she brought the album It Wasn't Real for us to check out.

05/06/13 NEW MUSIC From Lisa Biales

Lisa Biales first came and Sat On The Couch on September 24th, 2012 to discuss her career and music.

Tonight, she came back to feature her latest album, Singing In My Soul, featuring Ricky Nye and The Paris Blues Band.

05/06/13 Bad Influence Band Sat On The Couch

The Bad Influence Band is Michael Tash, Roger Edsel, Bob Mallardi and David Thaler and they have been playing the Blues since 1998. They have been honored with numerous Wammie Award nominations.

05/06/13 Earl Thomas Sat On The Couch

From being the first African-American baby born in the Bledsoe County Hospital in Pikesville, TN to traveling the world with his military dad, to almost dying in an accident where he fell off a cliff, the history of Earl Thomas is found in his music and in his words.

04/29/13 Anson Funderburgh Sat On The Couch

Anson Funderburgh has been called "The Godfather of Texas Blues" and has won many Handy Awards during the first part of his career.

After a six year 'quiet' period where Anson dealt with the death of Sam Meyers and raising his kids and dealing with health issue he is now back and beginning to work and create again.

04/29/13 WORLD PREMIER - Grand Marquis "Blues & Trouble"

Back in March of 2011 Ben Ruth and Bryan Redmond of Grand Marquis came and sat on The Couch.

 Tonight, they returned with their brand new album, Blues & Trouble which will not release until June 25th!

04/29/13 Doug MacLeod Sat On The Couch

Doug MacLeod has been doing what he loves for over 40 years; playing the blues, traveling and meeting his fans, teaching guitar and playing the blues on the radio.

Prior to this show I had heard from a number of people telling me how much I was going to enjoy my talk with him.

04/29/13 Reverence Jimmie Bratcher Sat On The Couch

At 12, Reverend Jimmie Bratcher’s dad put an ad in the Kansas City Star; “Will trade 1958 DeSoto for electric guitar and amplifier”.

The rest is history, as Jimmie still owns the guitar and amp and used the guitar on some songs on his latest release, Secretly Famous.

04/22/13 NEW MUSIC from The Ten Foot Polecats

“Couch Kids” the Ten Foot Polecats return to The Couch with new music.

The album is called Undertow and it expands off the great stylings of their first two albums.

04/22/13 Long Tall Deb Sat On The Couch

Her name is Deb Landolt, but you probably know her as Long Tall Deb, and she commands a stage like few others.

She was a Semi-Finalist at the 2010 IBC and has a new album, Raise Your Hands, on the VizzTone Label, which features Deb’s striking vocals and guest appearances by many Blues Stars of today.

04/22/13 Andy T & Nick Nixon Sat On The Couch

Andy Talamantez (Andy T) was born and raised in Southern California and has played with Guitar Shorty and Smokey Wilson. His guitar styling is based upon the legends, but he has infused it with a signature style all his own. He moved to Nashville back in 2008 and has been making music from there since.