Tawas Bay Blues Society

6:00pm ~ Chris Canas

Chris Canas fell in love with the Guitar at age 15 and has been playing obsessively
ever since. His musical background includes:Jazz, Funk, Blues, Soul, Classical,
Country, Reggae, Rock, R&B, Pop, Latin and Gospel. Chris writes,arranges,
performs, and engineers all of his music. Chris has been on a mission to present
the Blues to the new generation and keep it alive for the veteran fans.
He hopes that one day everyone will learn to love the
Blues as much as he does.

8:00pm ~ Fridays Headliner:
Sharrie Williams & The Wise Guys

Sharrie’s unique style of “Rockin’ Gospel Blues” is surrounded by strong and powerful vocals
and arrangements, with songs that grab your soul, like “Hard Drivin’ Woman,” “Travellin’”
and “Blues Lover”. Sharrie touches souls with her talent and passion for her music, combined
with her smoky, sexy and imitable style she always leaves her audience calling for one more song. She
emerges with grace as a humble and rock solid professional, a talented songstress that stands on her own.

“Having lived the blues, I sing to inspire people, Not to let the blues get the best of you”.

Saturday ~ August 23, 2008

Noon ~ Witch Doctors

The Witch Doctors dispense strong mojo, ritulalistic barroom blues. They set the energy level on blast and define rolling dance floor music with a back beat. The Witch doctors specialiize in original lyric driven blues.

2:00pm ~ Chef Chris

Chef Chris' first significant cooking job came at the age of 19 in Columbus,Ohio when he joined the staff at the Grandview Inn, a histric place known as a stopover for famous jazz musicians like Duke Ellington, and Count Basie. His musical break came in 2002 after he and his band traveled to memphis Tennessee and won the prestigious Blues Challenge. The Blues Foundation named Chef Chris and his Nairobi trio "The Best Unsigned Blues band in the world."

4:00pm ~ The Horse Cave Trio

The roots of the Horse Cave Trio run deep. As far back as you can trace American Music, you will find the roots of the Trio. The band combines a lot of influences to create a sound that is totally original and yet very familiar, what many have come to call "blues-fueled rockability". The Trio formed in the fall of 2002. Ron DeVore had achieved success with his hard rockin' band Empty Set. Ron found the perfect partner in guitarist Lou Simon, a veteran of the Detroit music scene and were named for the small town in Kentucky where DeVore's parents were from.

6:00pm ~ Jim Cummings

The Jim Cummings band is led by no other than,Jim Cummings!
His soaring blues edged vocals, in the groove bass lines and band leader make this an exciting band to listen to. His years of experience have led to his band working with bands such as The Beach Boys, The Tubes, Edgar Winter, Gregg Allman, Grand Funk, Alice Cooper and many more.

8:00pm ~ Saturdays Headliner:
Jan James

Raised in central Michigan on a family-run fishing resort. Jan's talent was obvious from early on. "The more I played guitar and the more I tried out the voice I learned to use in the church choir" says Jan,"The more I liked it." Jan met her partner, songwriter/guitarist Craig Calvert, while they were both attending Michigan State. She was working in a duo, performing regularly at a small cafe. When she needed to replace her guitar player, the timing was perfect. Craig was taking a break from his punk band; they met and developed a musical chemistry that has evolved into a big sound and feel that is colored with blues, soul and the sweet dynamics of the best rock. Jan was voted "Best Female Vocalist" by the Detroit Metro Times.

Sunday ~ August 24, 2008

Noon ~ Blues Abusers

The Blues Abusers are a staple on the Northeast Michigan Blues scene. Having played extensively at festivals and other venues. They share a genuine passion for the blues and it is evident in their music.

The Sonny Moorman Group is a Cincinnati,Ohio-based Blues/Rock band formed in 1994. Consisting of Sonny Moorman-guitar & vocals, Marc Hoffman-bass,Combs-drums & vocals. The band are nine time winners of the CAMMY awards (Cincinnati Area Music awards). The band was also a Super Six finalist in the 97Xposure Music Competition and winner in the Budweiser True Music Search.
(Website)