Los Angeles Bluesmen Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys Come To Oregon- Sept. 24th

“Los Angeles based bluesman Lightnin’ Willie has developed a particularly intriguing wrinkle on the genre, one that’s cool, airy, with a sinuous groove that infiltrates his audience’s consciousness and invariably gets them on their feet. He has no quarrel with mixing dance with the blues.” – LAWeekly.

The band Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys consists of Lightnin’ Willie on guitar and vocals along with Dennis Gurwell or Michael “Fireball” Murphy on keyboards/ bass and the pocket master Jerry Olson on drums. They are winners of two California Blues Challenges (Southern California and Ventura County) and Semi-Finalists in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. They play blues the way aficionados of the genre like it: hard, raw, and with a taste of the roadhouse. It is delivered with an honest integrity and love for the music, which is  reminiscent of some of the legendary Texas and Chicago blues heavies. Lightnin’ Willie’s music is “real,” which is one of the best things you can say about an Americana / Bluesman.

Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys will be performing at Duff’s Garage, 2530 NE 82nd, on Thursday, September 24, opening for fellow California bluesman Harlis Sweetwater. Admission is $7.00, and this is a Cascade Blues Association co-sponsored event, so show your membership card at the door for a $1.00 discount.

On Sunday, September 27 in Salem, Lightnin’ Willie & The Poor Boys will be playing at the Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival at the Deepwood Estate, 1116 Mission Street SE, from 4:00 – 7:00 pm. Admission is $10.00 and available through Eventbrite.com. Friends of Deepwood members are only $8.00 for admission. All ages are invited.