Biography
Ray Fuller -Guitar and vocals
Mike Gilliland - Harmonica and vocals
Keith Blair - Piano and vocals
Manny Manuel - Bass and vocals
Mark Ward - Drums
Ray Fuller's talent as a singer and guitarist has allowed him to share the stage with many blues giants including Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Albert Collins, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Buddy Guy, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and so many more!
In fact, Muddy Waters, after witnessing an opening act performance by Ray Fuller on slide guitar exclaimed for all to hear "That was some hot slide boy! I could smell the smoke backstage! James Cotton, after witnessing a similar Bluesrocker performance shook Ray's hand and proclaimed "Finally I met somebody as wild and crazy as I am!" John Lee Hooker was so impressed with the band and their performance that he took the Bluesrockers and his own band out to dinner and picked up the tab!
These opportunities to hang out and learn at the feet of the masters were not wasted on young Ray as he paid close attention to every pearl of wisdom and every nasty riff and blues lick generously shown to him as an eager student of the blues. Since then Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers have been performing their brand of low down gutsy blues and red hot rock'n roll for many years, leaving a trail of scorched stages and satisfied fans from Michigan to Florida,and from California to New York State.
Long time drummer Mark Ward toured with Ray Fuller for many years, formerly with Terry Davidson & The Gears. Blues harpist Mike Gilliland has backed up the legendary delta bluesman Honeyboy Edwards , singer and guitarist Cleveland Fats,and the late, great Missisippi - Chicago blues singer Willie" Pooch " Johnson. Pianist Keith Blair brings a ton of stage presence and was one of nine finalists in the 2003 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. Bassist Manny Manuel has spent many years touring with the likes of Patrick Mclaughlin and Hot Rod and The Blues DeVilles. Together they are an unstoppable force of blues and rock'n roll energy!
Influences:
Classic-Muddy Waters, Howlin'Wolf, Elmore James, Little Walter, John Lee Hooker, Lightnin' Hopkins, Lightnin'Slim, Slim Harpo, Lazy Lester, Robert Nighthawk, Willie "Pooch" Johnson, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley, B.B.King, John Brim, Hound Dog Taylor, Magic Sam, Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Elvis Presley, Johnny Burnette, Paul Burlison, Jerry Lee Lewis. Contemporary-Jimmie Vaughan, Ronnie Earl, Kim Wilson, William Clarke, Eric Clapton, Rory Gallagher, Omar and the Howlers, the Blasters, the Paladins, the LeRoi Brothers, the Tailgators, Dave Edmunds, Evan Johns and the H-Bombs, John Hammond, Mike Henderson and the Bluebloods, James Harman, the Blue Shadows(Red Devils). Songwriting-Willie Dixon, Chuck Berry, John Hiatt, John Fogerty, Lucinda Williams, Omar Dykes, James Harman, Kim Wilson, Dave Alvin.
Sounds Like:
What the Press has to say: "Sounds like Elmore James and Hound Dog Taylor tempered with the rowdiness of George Thorogood" -Guitar Player Magazine. "If you dig the tough-rockin' sounds of the Paladins, Blasters, Tailgators, or early Fabulous Thunderbirds, you'll want to scoop up a copy of this red hot platter" -Rounder Records. "Hardworking unit, very tough harp playing, conjures up those early days of Muddy Waters and Little Walter" -Blues Life Journal. "Ray Fuller is a master, quoting both Scotty Moore and Chuck Berry" -Blue Suede News. "Ray turns in a praiseworthy effort of John Lee Hooker's In the Mood" -Blues Life Journal. "Bayou Blue is a ringer for Creedence Clearwater Revival's Born on the Bayou, right down to Ray's exquisite solo. Ray's vocals are sometimes reminiscent of Kim Wilson or Charlie Musselwhite. These veteran performers play quintessential bar music: Chicago and Delta Blues, honkytonk, rockabilly, Cajun, and Rock'n'roll" -Columbus Dispatch.
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