BB King, John Lee Hooker, The Paladins, Ray Charles, Junior Wells, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, John Campbell, Tom Waits, Nick Cave, Chris Whitley, Joe Cocker, a whole lot of old rock and roll, and a little bit of country
If you consider yourself or someone you know a fan of good music, particularly good blues music, you need to experience Detroit's Big B and the Magic Bullets. This six-piece band of standout musicians has been confidently and cooly earning a reputation as a "must see" live act. With the release of their debut effort "11 Shots" they may have also made the region's best original blues CD.
The band's leader, singer and guitarist Brian "Big B" Burleson, sums up their appeal this way: "We're a bunch of fun, down-to-earth cats who enjoy each other's company--and that's increasingly rare where flaky musician egos are concerned. We also have this mutual need, this itch, for being fulfilled as often as possible by playing music. There's not a guy in this band who doesn't live for the sheer enjoyment of expressing themselves through their instrument, and that only feels good when you're doing it well, at a level you've practiced hard at for years to make look and feel easy, the same way your idols and influences inspired you. Add to that this very honest, creative, emotional approach we have and it translates into some consistently genuine moments, moments that people enjoy as much or more than we do. We're proud of that."
Besides Big B (himself a nominee for three consecutive Detroit Music Awards as an Outstanding Instrumentalist), the band features vocalist and harmonica player Jezter (frontman for the Detroit rock bands Soot and Social Fever in addition to his work with Big B, all of which have earned him several recent nominations and an award as an Outstanding Vocalist), keyboardist Chuck Vermeulen (session veteran and member of the Detroit bands Rib and Moon Madness), bassist Doug Hise (a well-respected player and the producer/engineer/owner of Hise Sound Labs in Warren, Michigan), drummer Erin Pitman (a diversely talented stick man, formerly of the Detroit bands The Suicide Machines and Hemigod) and lastly the band's most recent coup, sax player Dave Daniele (also an awards nominee as a solo artist, instrumentalist and songwriter with his band The Sax Maniacs--a truly great player with a well-known reputation and history in the Detroit music scene). Put all these pieces together and you have a band that has wowed crowds at several area venues, blues showcases and festivals.
So what's next for this talented group? Big B has an answer for that as well: "It's all about our new CD, '11 Shots'. We worked long and hard on it and things have finally fallen into place--adding Dave Daniele's sax parts made all the songs even better. People have been asking us for a CD at our shows for a long time. If anyone is curious about our entertainment value as a band it's all right there on the disc. Classic and contemporary blues fans will love the way we switch up styles and sounds." Indeed, the proof is there: West Coast jump ("Be Cool") and Motown funk ("I Get It Now"), Texas shuffle ("Handed My Hat") and slow-burnin' 12-bar (the nine-minute live favorite "About To Get Evil"), Delta Dobro ("A Soul Ain't Worth A Damn") and Chicago soul ("Woman And The Devil"), smooth modern takes ("When You Gonna Tell The Truth", "Life's Too Short To Be Me"), all-out jams ("The Stunt", "Headfirst Slide") and lastly, a beautiful Stevie Ray Vaughan-inspired instrumental ("Big Hands"). 11 songs makes "11 Shots" a good, long listen that stands up to repeated plays.
"I believe that doing what makes you happy results in an authentic life and in our case, an authentic record. All I can say to people is if you like good music, check out our record and come see us live. We won't disappoint." With an invitation like that the decision to check out Big B and the Magic Bullets should be an easy one.
Big B and the Magic Bullets's Friend Space (Top 40)
My new record just came out this week on I-Tunes and CD Baby. I have included a video talking about the record, hope you enjoy it! Please leave us some feedback to let us know what you think! Thanks for your support.
-Ray Stephenson
PS: This album would make a great stocking stuffer ;)
There is currently a search for two types of bands for record label consideration.
*** Note: PLEASE IDENTIFY IF YOU ARE IN GROUP 1 OR 2 IN THE SUBJECT LINE OF YOUR RESPONSE. Emails are being reviewed by different representatives.
1. A Pop/Rock/Commercial band with female lead. Band must consist of 2 guitars (Prefer both guitar players to be of lead caliber. However, one lead and one rhythm is acceptable), keyboard/piano, bass, and drums. Lead vocal, followed by backing vocals, in that order, is a plus as it relates to other members of the group. Average age of the band cannot exceed 28 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
2. A Modern Rock band with male lead. Must be a complete band but there are no prerequisites as it relates to the make up of the band. Average age of the band cannot exceed 23 years of age.
* Group must have an outstanding lead vocalist. ** Musicianship throughout the entire band must be very strong. *** Group cannot currently be under any contract of any type that is related to the music industry.
XXX - If you meet the minimum qualifications as described above. Email a link for your MySpace Page and if applicable, a link for your website to: recordingartistsearch@gmail.com
Only send one email with your links. Due to the volume of responses normally received for these types of opportunities. After review of your material, you will only be contacted if there is an interest in attending one of your shows by a label representative. As such please to not send any follow up emails regarding selections. If you were not contacted back, there was not an interest.
Thank You.
PS: Before You Enter Any MySpace Contests You Might Want To Also Review The Website At: www.st
Friday October 30th -- Barbie's Devils Night Birthday Bash
A Night Filled With "Horn(E)" Devils and Exotic Angels.
Jon Stroyer from DREADWORKS will be turning ME into a freakish Devil. If anyone is interested in special fx makeup/artistry/body painting and/or facepaitning - call Jon @ 248-766-2513. He will be at the event if anyone is interested in some special painting affects.
Cash Prize for the hottest devil/angel. (Devil/Angel costumes recommended; but not required)
Come Celebrate Barbie's Birthday with her models from The Playhouse Dolls!
The Playhouse Dolls will be doing a choreographed sexy dance routine on top of the bar in their sexy lil devil costumes.
A night filled with Libra and Scorpio Birthdays! Celebrating Birthdays are: Barbie, Shyann & Chanel from TPD Entertainment, Erin Lilley and many more......
Dirty Martini will be transformed into the sexiest devils night with a haunted dance floor.
Sounds by DJ Paul Martindale (from 955 Bomb Squad)
TY-KU Drink Specials all night!
Devil Costume's for The Playhouse Dolls sponsored by BodyKandi.com
For VIP Bottle Service call Barbie @ 734-355-6694
Birthday Packages Available! ( I am buying a bottle for the BIGGEST Birthday Party -- Reserve your party, get your list together!)
Sponsors: Night Owl Entertainment,Ty-Ku, BodyKandi.com, Metromix, Dreadworks
All right then my Detroit brothas. My Home Town. U Jam man. Loved each and every cut! May your weekend be Bluesslicious my brothas. Jam on. Michael Dale Choley
ABOUT TO GET EVIL. WOW THANKS FOR THE WARNING . GREAT TUNE!!!
UNITED TOGETHER TO KEEP THE BLUES ALIVE HERE IN DETROIT. THANKS FOR BEING IN OUR FRIEND NETWORK. SEE YA’LL AROUND TOWN.
