Groovin' 50 Years
WITH DANIELLE MIRAGLIA ON SUPPORT
Blues icon. Soul man. Rock and roller. Robert Cray is all these things – and more. The Georgiaborn, Washington-raised musician first picked up a guitar after seeing The Beatles on TV then, having witnessed Jimi Hendrix perform in Seattle, determined that his destiny would follow a similar path. And so it turned out: across the past half-century Robert Cray has developed into one of American music’s most singular artists.
From forming a teenage garage band, through to striding the stage alongside several of the world’s greatest guitarists, Robert Cray’s story is one of struggle and commitment. Struggle and commitment that led to Cray enjoying phenomenal success – selling millions of albums and countless concert tickets – while his skills as a band leader and performer mark him as a keeper of the flame for American roots music.
Cray’s commitment to making music of the highest order has won him both a loyal audience and the respect of many legendary figures. Robert Cray has shared stage and/or studio with the likes of John Lee Hooker and B.B. King, Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters, Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Rolling Stones and Eric Clapton, Tina Turner and Buddy Guy, the Memphis Horns and Hi Rhythm Section.
– Cray’s 1986 breakthrough album Strong Persuader is the best selling blues album ever.
– Cray has won five Grammy Awards.
– Cray has been inducted into Hollywood’s Rock Walk and the Blues Hall of Fame.
– Cray is recipient of the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance.
– Cray has designed two signature model Fender guitars.
“Nothing beats playing live,” says Cray of his forthcoming US tour dates. “Audiences inspire me and my band to reach for the top every night.” Of his half century leading a rocking band he says, “it’s been a great ride so far. And the best is yet to come.”
The Robert Cray Band consists of Richard Cousins (bass guitar), Dover Weinberg (keyboards), George Sluppick (drums) and Robert Cray (vocals/guitar).
DANIELLE MIRAGLIA
Danielle Miraglia comes armed with a strong steady thumb on an old Gibson and an infectious stomp-box rhythm with tunes ranging from heart-felt to socially conscious that will move both your heart and hips. Her latest “Bright Shining Stars” debuted at #15 on the Billboard Blues Charts. Cascade Blues Association calls it “… tough as rawhide, but smooth as blended whiskey.” Released Oct 2020 with Vizztone Label Group, it’s a solo acoustic folk/blues record that highlights the one-woman-band live sound she’s honed over the years, featuring guest appearances by talented friends Laurence Scudder, Peter Parcek and Richard “Rosy” Rosenblatt. It includes originals as well as a collection of songs she covers at live shows, paying homage to influences like Big Bill Broonzy, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and more, plus the title track “Bright Shining Stars,” written by her husband, Tom Bianchi.
“Americana and blues practitioner Danielle Miraglia wisely avoids fuss and clutter on her latest album, Bright Shining Stars. Fingerpicking and strumming on acoustic guitar are central to her sound, with percussion frequently provided by the infectious stomp of her foot. Three of the 11 tracks here are solo recordings, reinforcing a truism that the artist frequently has proven on Boston-area stages: A charming voice and fluid guitar prowess are all an artist needs to keep a listener rapt.” – Bobby Reed, Downbeat Magazine
“Straddling the line where folk/roots meets rock/blues, Miraglia has a voice that can go from a raspy come-hither purr to an Etta James-esque powerhouse belt, although she may be best known for her lead thumb — a heavy, thumping strike on her Gibson that’s backdrop percussion in itself.” – Lauren Daley, The Boston Globe
“The first time that I saw one of her live shows, Danielle Miraglia’s intoxicating brand of hot bluesy music, built on an underpinning of scorching guitar riffs, melted the chill off the bitter cold New England winter night in an instant. Truth be told, I don’t believe that there’s an audience anywhere who wouldn’t be blown away after seeing a performance by this gifted Boston-based singer, songwriter, and guitarist extraordinaire. From her opening song, she lights up the darkness and explodes like a tsunami roaring across the open waters of the ocean.” – Paul Collins, Nashua Telegraph
She has opened for Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, Bettye Lavette, John Hammond Jr., Joan Osborne, John Mayall, Sonny Landreth, John Oates, Taj Mahal, Colin Hay, Robert Cray, Rodney Crowell and performed side stages at events with The Black Crowes, Mary J Blige, The Indigo Girls and many more.
Premium Merchandise Package Includes:
- 1 Great Reserved Seat
- 1 Exclusive T-Shirt (Not available anywhere else!)
- 1 Autographed 8×10 Photograph
- 1 Exclusive Guitar Pick Tin