Harpdog Brown & The Travelin' Blues Show

Saturday, December 2, 2017

Doors Open: 4pm
Event Begins: 9pm

Band Website: Harpdog

United by Music North America is excited to announce their first international associated mentor, three- time Maple Blues Award winner Canadian musician Harpdog Brown. The UBMNA band will provide the opening set for Harpdog Brown and the Travelin' Blues Show at Catfish Lou's in Portland, OR December 2nd. Catfish Lou's and Harpdog Brown are dedicating this evening to raising funds to support the courageous and brave artists of United by Music North America. A percentage of the bar income as well as 100% of what is raised in the raffle are dedicated to transforming lives through music at a UBMNA!

He's been called a blues evangelist and that is a very fitting moniker. "I speak the blues like it's the truth, and it is" he was recently quoted. "I do feel like I'm a servant of the people. And I do believe that music can heal people, especially blues music, if they pay attention to the good messages in the songs we perform." He delivers those messages in the traditional sound of early electric blues. Think of the old Chess Records and Sun Records of the late 40's and early 50's. Harpdog says "Blues has a healing power. It's a beautiful celebration of our perfectly flawed lives. We help people forget about their issues for a moment and then they realize that we all have our issues, and that it's ok." 

Vancouver-based Harpdog Brown was born in Edmonton in 1962, an adopted child who has felt somewhat detached his whole life - "a lifelong battle of not feeling like I belonged. I think I was born for the circus, you know, born to travel. The blues tapped me on the shoulder years ago and said 'this is where you belong, son'. So the blues became my circus and there's no better way to travel than with a classic blues band!" 

They love the traditional early electric blues sound and they perform that style with authenticity. Some call it a Chicago Blues sound. Harpdog calls it Classic Blues. Think late 40's and early 50's vintage electric blues. They perform mostly originals yet they often include great songs of the masters from that era. Think Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Little Walter, Jimmy Reed and of course, Muddy Waters. Audiences say that they love hearing that lo-fi vinyl sound live on stage. They often do it all while using vintage gear as well. 

Harpdog Brown is a gifted vocalist and an imaginative harmonica player. He is a threetime Maple Blues Award Winner (2014/2015/2016), Fraser Valley Music Award Winner, three-time Western Canadian Music Awards Nominee, Juno Nominee and the only Canadian to win the coveted Muddy Award. In 2016 he was nominated for 3 Maple Blues Awards (Harmonica Player, Male Vocalist and Album of the Year) for his latest release Travelin’ With The Blues. The album features a duet with Charlie Musselwhite and was produced by the Beale Street Blues Bopper himself, Little Victor with guest appearances from Kid Andersen, Big Jon Atkinson and other heavy hitters in the American blues scene. 

Holger Peterson, CKUA, CBC and SiriusXM broadcaster, exalted that "this band could play anywhere in the world, in any venue, and blues fans of all stripes would love this show. Canada’s premier ‘old school’ harp wizard has never sounded better. Supported by mature, understated players, Harpdog’s effortless vocal delivery is a rare and natural gift.” 

Charlie Musselwhite, who sat in for a duet on his latest release says "Harpdog's got a smokin' band playin' and he's singing the real-deal old-school blues just like you want to hear. I love the killer guitar playing too!” 

“If somebody asks you “what do the blues sound like?”, this is the disc you need to play for them” says John the Rock Doctor of www.GonzoOkanagan.com

Tickets Non-Refundable