Come and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the San Luis Obispo Blues Society when SLO Blues Society presents Rick Estrin and the Nightcats on Saturday, February 29 at 7:30 pm at the SLO Vets Hall (801 Grand Avenue). Back Bay Betty will be opening the show. Tickets are $20 for Blues Society members and $25 for the general public. Tickets are sold at the door, and may also be purchased at Boo Boo Records and Cheap Thrills in San Luis Obispo, and Paradise Records and Trading Post in Santa Maria, or online at My805tix. Doors open at 7:00pm, music starts at 7:30. 21 and over please.
The Blues Society runs on volunteers to produce and staff their concerts. At the shows, volunteers set up, sell tickets and drinks, or put the furniture away after the show. Volunteers get free admission to the show and two drink tickets. If you have extra time and energy to contribute, please call their volunteer line (805) 541-7930 or email [email protected].
RICK ESTRIN AND THE NIGHTCATS
Rick Estrin and the Nightcats serve up fresh, original blues injected with a solid dose of gritty roadhouse rock ‘n roll. Rick’s harmonica playing is in the tradition of harp masters Sonny Boy Williamson and Little Walter, while at the same time pushing that tradition forward. Rick is a humorous songwriter who has the ability to keep you laughing at life’s foibles. He won the 1994 Blues Music Award for his composition “My Next Ex-Wife” and has written songs for three Grammy-nominated albums. In addition, Rick won the 2013 Blues Music Award for Best Instrumentalist – Harmonica and the 2018 BMA award for Blues Male Artist of the Year. Besides Estrin’s streetwise songwriting and musical skills, he is among the most entertaining and colorful showmen around. His quick wit and signature look – coifed hair, pencil-thin mustache and sharply pressed suits – add even more color to his performances. “Estrin has created some of the finest blues songs of any artist on the planet. His carefully wrought lyrics penetrate human weakness with the precision of a boxer, though more often than not, he chooses to leave you laughing after the blow’s been struck.” (Blues Revue)
For more than 30 years and nine albums, Rick fronted the Nightcats, featuring Little Charlie Baty’s guitar acrobatics. They were nominated four times for the Blues Music Award for Band of the Year. With Charlie’s retirement in 2008, Rick added blues-rock guitarist Chris “Kid” Andersen to the band, which also includes Alex Petersen on drums and vocals, and Lorenzo Farrell on piano, organ and synthesizer. With an unpredictable, no-holds-barred style that perfectly meshed with Estrin’s wildly imaginative original songs, the new band has produced four critically acclaimed CDs on Alligator Records: Twisted (2009), One Wrong Turn (2012), a live recording from San Francisco’s Biscuits and Blues called You Asked For It…Live (2014), and Groovin’ in Greaseland (2018). In 2018, the Nightcats won the Blues Music Award for Band of the Year and their song “The Blues Ain’t Going Nowhere” won the BMA award for song of the year. “These are serious musicians out to have a hotter than hot good time. It’s tough to stay in your seat when Estrin and his musical cohorts get cooking.” (Chicago Sun-Times)
BACK BAY BETTY
Back Bay Betty is a Los Osos, CA five-piece high-energy dance band known for creative original music and covers by classic and contemporary rock and blues favorites. Local favorite Linda Martin fronts the group from her keyboard with a bold, soulful voice. Accompanying Linda is singer-songwriter Ron Pagan on guitar, keys and vocals with Eric Stever on saxophone and vocals. Rounding out the rhythm section are Mark Walters on bass guitar and vocals, and Don Utterback on drum and vocals. The band travels with their own multi-instrumentalist soundman Matt Vargo. Back Bay Betty performs at local music venues, countywide concert series, wineries, and private parties. Back Bay Betty’s dynamic energy on stage is infectious and is guaranteed to get everybody out of their seats and onto the dance floor.