Waterfront Blues Festival presents Steve Strongman

Waterfront Blues, Toronto Ontario Canada

ARCHIVES

STEVE STRONGMAN
www.stevestrongman.com

Bandshell - June 6, 2008

As a teenager, 2008 Maple Blues Awards "New Artist of the Year" nominee, Steve Strongman would sneak up the fire escape at Kitchener's renowned Blues club, Pop the Gator, to listen to the music that moved his soul. It was here, sitting in with many of his heroes, that the young guitar protégé cut his teeth on the music that would become the cornerstone of everything he touched.

Beginning his professional career at the age of 16, playing clubs around southern Ontario, Strongman caught the eye of Mississippi Blues legend Mel Brown. Under his tutelage, Steve met and played with many of the Blues legends of the time. In fact, it was after one blistering opening set that Chicago Soul man Otis Clay exclaimed, "I'm gonna do what you do..."

Other muses called for Strongman, who toured extensively with Rock, Country and Blues bands throughout Canada and the U.S. with various stops including Opryland, Renfro Valley in Kentucky and opening for Roy Clark at his theatre in Branson Missouri. After a taste of L.A. – playing with Columbia recording artist Tal Bachman – Steve chose to concentrate on his own Rock band, Plasticine, among other ventures. But the Blues were calling louder and Strongman, drawn back to the style that first spoke to him, made a natural and resolute decision to answer.

Now, some twenty years later, Strongman signals a return to his roots with Honey, his fifth release and debut with Fallen Sky/Fontana. A self produced effort, Honey features a seamless blend of old school and new originals that heralds the arrival of Canada's newest Blues sensation. With nine originals on the 11 song play list, Strongman guides the feel and flow with ease on this ultra-cool musical gem. Honey is a high caliber effort that breaks new ground with pace changes, dynamics, atmosphere, melody, and mind blowing gritty greasy Blues.

Steve Strongman is a man who has found his home in the heart of the Blues. His dynamic and stirring performances are sure to captivate audiences this summer and fall at festivals and selected venues in Southern Ontario and Western Canada. Strongman's also gearing up for a European tour, and is in preproduction for a new CD slated for release in Summer 2008.