Blue Heart Records and the Blues Society of Central PA release original blues from Pennsylvania and beyond
"Backyard Blues" scheduled for March 19, 2021 digital release
LANCASTER, Pa.: Blue Heart Records announces the forthcoming release of Backyard Blues, a collection of sixteen original songs of various blues-based styles written and performed by Central Pennsylvania artists. Recorded and mixed by the brilliant Bobby Gentilo and produced by Gary "Rocky" Rothrock, BSCP Blues Jam Coordinator, the recording sessions were held in Central PA at Right Coast Recording, Columbia.
Backyard Blues was born of the fruits of a weekly blues jam, hosted by BSCP, held every Thursday night for more than twenty years, at which long-lasting friendships and musical connections were created. The creativity and musicianship which demonstrate the nuances of the blues is as impressive as the society's efforts to preserve and share it in recorded form.
In 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic prevented having the beloved weekly jams, the blues society was nimble in adapting to the times and continuing the tradition virtually via Zoom sessions broadcast to their Facebook group page. This opened the doors of their event to the world, both by musicians who participate and blues fans who tune in from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Among those virtual musical guests were Crooked Eye Tommy (Nashville, TN) and Miss Bix (Malibu, CA) from the Blue Heart Records label. Clarence Spady (Scranton, PA), from the sister label, Nola Blue Records, has performed multiple times. Three original tunes from those esteemed artists, representing the "virtual backyard of Central PA," are bonus tracks included on this digital release. Crooked Eye Tommy was a Finalist in the Solo/Duo category at the 2020 International Blues Challenge. BMA-nominee Clarence Spady's "Surrender" and "Red Walls" by Miss Bix recently received Global Music Awards.
"We are so fortunate to have a locally owned international blues label in our community which provides tremendous support for our local musicians and, at the same time, attracts high caliber blues artists from around the country to perform at our virtual and live venues," says Kathryn Gregoire, President, Blues Society of Central PA.
Sallie Bengtson, partner at Blue Heart Records, is proud to be working with the label's "hometown" blues society for this release. "Chicago or Memphis may be the first places that come to mind when talking about blues, but we have much to be proud of in Central Pennsylvania. The outreach of our individual and collective efforts to keep the blues alive and available to a worldwide audience is the result of the passion and dedication of the local blues community. It's truly an inspiration and a joy to work with the Blues Society of Central PA to bring exposure of this musical project to radio and media."
The Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, promotion, support and enjoyment of the truly original American art form, the blues.
Backyard Blues was born of the fruits of a weekly blues jam, hosted by BSCP, held every Thursday night for more than twenty years, at which long-lasting friendships and musical connections were created. The creativity and musicianship which demonstrate the nuances of the blues is as impressive as the society's efforts to preserve and share it in recorded form.
In 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic prevented having the beloved weekly jams, the blues society was nimble in adapting to the times and continuing the tradition virtually via Zoom sessions broadcast to their Facebook group page. This opened the doors of their event to the world, both by musicians who participate and blues fans who tune in from the comfort and safety of their own homes. Among those virtual musical guests were Crooked Eye Tommy (Nashville, TN) and Miss Bix (Malibu, CA) from the Blue Heart Records label. Clarence Spady (Scranton, PA), from the sister label, Nola Blue Records, has performed multiple times. Three original tunes from those esteemed artists, representing the "virtual backyard of Central PA," are bonus tracks included on this digital release. Crooked Eye Tommy was a Finalist in the Solo/Duo category at the 2020 International Blues Challenge. BMA-nominee Clarence Spady's "Surrender" and "Red Walls" by Miss Bix recently received Global Music Awards.
"We are so fortunate to have a locally owned international blues label in our community which provides tremendous support for our local musicians and, at the same time, attracts high caliber blues artists from around the country to perform at our virtual and live venues," says Kathryn Gregoire, President, Blues Society of Central PA.
Sallie Bengtson, partner at Blue Heart Records, is proud to be working with the label's "hometown" blues society for this release. "Chicago or Memphis may be the first places that come to mind when talking about blues, but we have much to be proud of in Central Pennsylvania. The outreach of our individual and collective efforts to keep the blues alive and available to a worldwide audience is the result of the passion and dedication of the local blues community. It's truly an inspiration and a joy to work with the Blues Society of Central PA to bring exposure of this musical project to radio and media."
The Blues Society of Central Pennsylvania is a non-profit corporation dedicated to the preservation, promotion, support and enjoyment of the truly original American art form, the blues.
