Blues Historian: KUNI Blues Bash Eddy Clearwater

Friday, October 5, 2007

KUNI Blues Bash Eddy Clearwater

A press release from KUNI about the upcoming Blues Bash in Waterloo

For immediate release: October 5, 2007

Contact: Scott Vezdos, 319-273-3497

The KUNI Blues Blowout returns to the Electric Park Ballroom in Waterloo on Saturday, November 17, 2007 featuring versatile, flamboyant Chicago blues rocker, Eddy “The Chief” Clearwater touring in support of a brand new release.

With his distinctive blend of Chuck Berry-style rock (and the occasional duck walk) and Magic Sam-influenced West Side blues, combined with his left-handed/upside-down guitar playing and dramatic stage performances, Eddy Clearwater quickly developed a reputation as a great showman with a diverse repertoire. He recorded several singles (for Atomic-H, LaSalle and Federal) and worked steadily in Chicago-area nightclubs for the next 20 years, remaining one of Chicago's hidden treasures until recognition of his talents began to come from abroad in the late '70s.

His 1980 U.S. debut album, The Chief (named after Clearwater's affinity for wearing the full Indian headdress given to him as a good luck charm), was the first release on Chicago's fledgling Rooster Blues label. His next album, recorded for England's Red Lightnin' label, won a W.C. Handy Award for "Best Import Blues Album."

Clearwater continues to tour across the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Asia, and South America, performing 200+ concerts a year. With his powerful left-handed guitar playing, unique hybrid of West Side blues and relentless rockabilly, stage costumes, and high energy performances, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater lives up to his reputation as one of the most versatile and colorful entertainers to have emerged from Chicago's blues scene. The Chicago Tribune proudly declares him "Chicago's premier blues showman."

A half century after his arrival in Chicago, Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater is still making history.

Opening the show is the 2007 Iowa Blues Challenge winners, Matt Woods & the Thunderbolts, from Des Moines. From the delta to the hills, the Thunderbolts thumping rhythm and stomping slide workouts will remind you what real party music is meant to be.

Showtime is 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance ($25 at the door). Advance tickets can be ordered online at www.kuniradio.org (in the STORE section) or by calling KUNI weekdays at 319-273-6400 or 800-772-2440, ext. 0. Advance tickets are also available at Bob's Guitars in Cedar Falls. All proceeds benefit KUNI Public Radio.

Financial support is made possible by The Warner Group, Inc. (Waterloo); Veridian Credit Union (Waterloo); Dyton Creative (Cedar Falls); Impact Marketing Technologies (Waterloo); and The Blackhawk Hotel (Cedar Falls).