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STEVE STRONGMAN

www.stevestrongman.com

It’s been said that the Blues tells a story and that every line has meaning- and this sentiment is clearly reflected in Steve Strongman’s newest offering, Blues in Colour.  Delivering searing guitar riffs and soulful harmonies, Strongman’s latest offering evokes the authenticity of classic blues themes like lost love, truth and hard times.  A widely anticipated follow up to his critically acclaimed solo debut Honey, Blues in Colour is a spectacular showcase of new music from a dynamic and preeminent player who has firmly established himself in the top ranks of the Canadian Blues music scene.

Recording in a century old barn in Caistor Centre, Ontario, helped foster the “live off the floor” performances that keeps the sound and feel of the record steeped in an old school blues tradition.  The CD opens with Mean to Me and Strongman comes out firing off on all cylinders, rounding out the rocking electric riffs with some exceptional harp playing.  Can’t Back Down has Steve bending the strings with hard-hitting deep, mean slide.  And whatever blues is your bag, it’s the languid, sultry, atmospheric ballad Take My Arms that will grab the heart of fans everywhere.  Strongman has strong rhythmic support from drummer/producer/ co- writer Dave King (King Biscut Boy/T Bone Burnette) on drums and multi Juno and Maple Blues Awards winner Alec Fraser (Jeff Healey/David Wilcox) on bass, who fill out the sound and keep things driving along.

Accolades for Strongman are piling up.  This 2009 recipient of the prestigious Mel Brown Blues Award, 2008 Maple Blues Awards nominee “Best Guitarist of the Year” and 2007 Maple Blues Awards “Best New Artist” nominee received standing ovations opening for the legendary Buddy Guy on his Canadian tour dates.  Other nods have included 4 nominations at the 2007 Hamilton Music and he made The Hamilton Spectator’s list of Hamilton’s Top 40 under 40.  Last year, this hard-working bluesman took his captivating style to blues clubs across Western Canada, including appearances at the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Ottawa Blues Fest, the Tremblant International Blues Festival and he just returned from a successful trip to the Tennessee International Blues Challenge 2009.

Gearing up for a European tour in the fall, Spring and Summer 2009 sees Steve touring in support of Blues in Colour at festivals and selected venues across Canada and the United States.