Red’s Blues Band
With Special Guest Kenny Marchese on Guitar
Red’s Blues Band is a four-piece Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame band featuring Beth Reid-Grigsby, aka Sacramento Red, on lead vocals and harmonies, RW Grigsby, bass and vocals, Doug Crumpacker, guitar/harmonica and vocals and Tim Wilbur, drums/percussion and vocals. Plus, they often have special guests on their shows. Guitarist Kenny Marchese, also a member of the Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame, will be a special guest for the Fort Bragg Blues Festival. They play traditional blues, as well as a lot of original Americana/Roots music. Beth and RW founded Red’s Blues in 2012. The band has released four CDs, and recently released two original digital singles in September, ’25, available on their website and all outlets.
Over the years their CDs have featured some of Northern California’s finest guest artists, such as Rick Estrin, Steve Freund, Jon Lawton, Johnny Burgin, Sid Morris, Mark Hummel, John Cocuzzi, Kyle Rowland, sax players Nancy Wright and Terry Hanck, Kid Andersen of Greaseland fame, Anson Funderburgh, Mike Keller and Wes Starr, many of whom have performed with them live multiple times.
RW is also the bassist on the 2014 Grammy-nominated and BMA-winning CD, Remembering Little Walter by Mark Hummel and the Blues Survivors. He was nominated for a BMA “Bass instrumentalist” Award in 2017.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Red’s Blues has earned recognition for their authentic and high-quality blues sound. They’ve received Positive Reviews in major publications including Blues Blast Magazine, Living Blues Magazine, and Blue Notes Magazine. Red’s Blues are highly praised by blues luminaries: Charlie Musselwhite called their album You Knock Me Out “fine laid-back enjoyable blues” and a “joy to listen to.” And Critic Mick Martin lauded the same album as “gritty and refreshing,” noting it was authentic blues, not disguised rock. The band has received local award nominations. Reviewers, such as Professor Johnny P’s Juke Joint Magazine, specifically highlight vocalist Beth “Red” Grigsby as the “real star of the vocals.”
Black Horse Blues Band
Hailing from the heart of Lake and Mendocino Counties, the Blackhorse Blues Band (often referred to as B.H.B.B.) is a powerhouse ensemble known for their “amped-up” brand of ferocious blues-rock. Led by Randy Peters (Guidiville Rancheria), member of the Pomo Nation, the band has built a decades-long reputation for delivering a gritty, high-energy sound—often described by the members themselves as “gruff and grime.” First formed in the early 1990s, the Blackhorse Blues Band has become a staple of the Northern California music scene. The band’s identity is deeply rooted in their heritage, blending the soulful, storytelling traditions of the blues with a hard-hitting rock edge. The group has spent years touring Indian Country and the regional festival circuit. They are celebrated not just for their technical skill, but for their ability to evoke deep emotion through what they call their “ferocious” blues-rock style. Whether playing at tribal celebrations, local venues in Willits and Ukiah, or on national platforms, they remain one of the most respected Native American blues acts in the West.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
The Blackhorse Blues Band’s has earned national acclaim, most notably being featured on the national radio program Native America Calling as “Music Makers” for their contribution to the modern Native American sound. Comprised of Pomo and local area musicians, they serve as vital cultural ambassadors, seamlessly bridging their heritage with a high-octane “gruff and grime” blues-rock style. Beyond the stage, B.H.B.B. has solidified their reputation as community pillars through their tireless support of local causes, frequently performing for hospice benefits and tribal fundraisers to give back to the communities that have supported them since the early 90s.
Tia Carroll & Her Awesome Band
Born in Richmond, California, Tia Carroll is a powerhouse blues, soul, and R&B vocalist who has been a staple of the San Francisco Bay Area music scene for over three decades. Known for her “sweet blues therapy,” Carroll’s vocal style is often compared to legends like Tina Turner, Koko Taylor, and Aretha Franklin, yet she maintains a unique, high-energy stage presence that has earned her an international following. Carroll has shared the stage with icons such as Ray Charles, B.B. King, and Gladys Knight along with Jimmy McCracklin, Syl Johnson, Sugar Pie DeSanto, Tommy Castro, Elvin Bishop, Igor Prado and Eric Gales. While she has toured extensively across Europe, Brazil, and Asia, she reached a new milestone in 2021 with the release of You Gotta Have It. Recorded at the famous Greaseland Studios in San Jose, the album earned critical acclaim and a Blues Blast Music Award nomination.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Tia Carroll has amassed an impressive array of honors that reflect her status as a “diva of today’s blues.” Her professional recognition includes being named the West Coast Female Blues Vocalist of the Year (2007), the Jus’ Blues Music Foundation’s Traditional Blues Woman of the Year (2008), Band Leader of the Year (2009), and R&B Vocalist of the Year (2011). In 2012, she won Best Female Vocalist at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Corporate Band competition, and her international influence was solidified with “Blues Contributor” awards in Spain and Brazil. More recently, her 2021 album You Gotta Have It garnered critical acclaim with nominations for Soul Blues Album of the Year at both the Blues Music Awards and the Blues Blast Music Awards, while her lifelong dedication was honored with the prestigious Denise LaSalle Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
GeminiiDRAGON Featuring Linwood Taylor
GeminiiDragon the Louisiana vocalist established herself as a fiery banshee who blurred the lines of Blues, Rock and Soul and paid homage to both the old and the new. By having one foot in the past but the other foot in the present all the while mentally exploring the future. Comparisons to KoKo Taylor, Mavis Staples and Tina Turner aside. GeminiiDragon has established herself as a fierce vocalist with a smoky tone and rich tapestry of textures that evoke visual images of the songs she’s singing and the mental emotions of them as well.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
GeminiiDRAGON has toured the world and played many of the biggest blues festivals in the U.S. (Waterfront Blues Festival & North Atlantic Blues Festival To Name A few!) Guitarist Linwood Taylor spent many years playing with Blues Legend Joe Louis Walker and traveled the world with him as well.
Mike Hammar & The Nails
Oklahoma-born and California-raised, Native American bluesman Mike Hammar has spent over 25 years carving out a distinct legacy in the blues scene. Influenced early on by his father and legends like T-Bone Walker and B.B. King, Hammar transitioned from a seasoned sideman to a frontman in 2001. Leading his band, The Nails, he is dedicated to performing original music that blends traditional roots with a modern, eclectic energy.
Since their debut album Going Home in 2004, Hammar and his crew—featuring “The Professor” Mike Boykin, Sparky Gehres, Greg Merino, and Allan Carroll—have garnered international airplay and critical acclaim. Their 2024 release, Raised in The Dirt, serves as a reflective tribute to their Central California heartland roots. Known for heartfelt vocals and stinging guitar work, Hammar continues to push the boundaries of the genre, delivering high-energy performances that have earned him a place alongside the biggest names in modern blues.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Mike Hammar and The Nails achieved a major milestone by winning the Monterey Bay Blues Festival’s Battle of the Blues Bands in 2009. Most recently, they represented the Sacramento Blues Society at the 2026 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, where they advanced to the semifinals. Their discography has reached global audiences via Sirius XM’s B.B. King’s Bluesville, and they are two-time winners of the Modesto Area Music Awards for Best Jazz/Blues Band. Notable recognitions also include an Independent Music Award nomination for “This Ain’t Goodbye” and a Native American Music Award nomination
Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings
Roy Rogers has been considered one of the world’s preeminent master Delta slide guitarists with many decades of touring the globe. Known for his searing performances that have been named a festival favorites including New Orleans Jazz Fest, North Sea Jazz Festival in Holland, Montreux in Switzerland, Pistoia in Italy, + North American festivals in Canada & the United States, with more than 4 decades of touring the world. Rogers is planning a release of the new single videos from the new release “The Sky’s The Limit” – his first recording in 10 years with product releases in January 2026.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Over 20 recordings to his credit, Rogers has garnered 8 Grammy nominations for producing, as a recording artist, and as a songwriter. His collaborations have garnered major media accolades worldwide for producing critically acclaimed Grammy nominated recordings for John Lee Hooker and Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, as well as collaborations with Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, Bela Fleck, Allan Toussaint, Sammy Hagar & Ray Manzarek among others.
Rowland & Tumblin’
Kyle Rowland powers through the reeds of a harmonica, honoring the rich traditions of American rhythm & blues, soul, and gospel. Rowland quickly and naturally developed his own sound, with help from a few of his heroes such as James Cotton, Lazy Lester, Hubert Sumlin, Billy “Boy” Arnold, Matt “Guitar” Murphy, Henry Gray, Charlie Musselwhite, and many others. Through these pioneers, Rowland learned specific techniques of stage presence, the music business, and several highly revered harmonica secrets, evident in his performances. In August of 2022, Rowland signed an endorsement deal with the Hohner harmonica company, which he has proudly used for his 20+ year career. Recently, with the help of Hohner, Rowland has had the opportunity to teach and provide harmonicas to hundreds of children across the United States, Mexico, and Cuba. In the Spring of 2025, Rowland was picked up by Little Village Foundation, a California-based record label, releasing NOT HOLDING BACK! in January 2026, produced by Rick Estrin and Kid Andersen. Rowland’s record, NOT HOLDING BACK! features Rockin’ Johnny Burgin, Bob Welsh, Jim Pugh, June Core, Ronnie James Weber, Anson Funderburgh, and many other heavyweights. Do not miss an opportunity to catch Kyle and his band, Rowland & Tumblin’, and snag a copy of NOT HOLDING BACK!
Accolades & Accomplishments:
In 2024, Rowland was inducted as the youngest member into the Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame, where he began his musical journey at the age of 10. In both 2024 and 2025, Rowland placed as a semi-finalist in the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee.
Matt Axton Band
Some say rock is dead, but fans of Matt Axton know that Mountain-Soul-Rock & Roll is alive and kicking. This West Coast-based singer/songwriter and band leader’s music is a powerful mix of classic storytelling and guitar-driven roots-rock resulting in a true modern Americana sound. Axton’s distinct baritone voice, unique finger-picker guitar style and wealth of legacy stories land perfectly in an intimate listening room or a late-night honky-tonk. Axton tours nationally playing large festivals and iconic institutions as well as opening for acts like Midland, Paul Cauthen, Jim Lauderdale, and Nikki Lane. He has recorded with music legends Steve Feroni (Tom Petty), Hal Cragin (Iggy Pop), Durga McBroom (Pink Floyd) and collaborated on projects such as “Abbey Road Reimaged – A Tribute to the Beatles” where Aaron Badgley of Spill Magazine called Axton’s cover of ‘Octopus’ Garden’ “pure genius.” Axton honors his deep legacy roots at every show with his own versions of his family’s #1 hits “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Joy to the World” and many more. Boasting over 300 original songs and founder of the Americana Joy Music Series and Tahoe Joy Festival, Axton proudly continues the family tradition of bringing just a little more musical “Joy to The World.”
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Axton has earned high praise for his creative versatility, notably for his contribution to the Abbey Road Reimagined Beatles tribute, where Spill Magazine hailed his cover of “Octopus’ Garden” as “pure genius.” His live performances are equally celebrated; he has headlined major events like the Donner Lake 4th of July celebration for crowds of 3,500 and has shared the stage with premiere acts such as Midland, Paul Cauthen, Jim Lauderdale, and Nikki Lane.
Steve Lucky & The Rhumba Bums featuring Miss Carmen Getit
Called “Instant Crowd Favorites” by the San Francisco Blues Festival, Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums deliver an electrifying stage show defined by intense energy and a witty “battle of the sexes.” Since 1993 the group has earned a global reputation for superior musicianship, captivating audiences from Hollywood’s legendary Derby to the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland. The band’s heart lies in the chemistry between Steve Lucky and Miss Carmen Getit. Seattle-born Lucky, a piano prodigy and music historian, honed his craft performing with legends like Johnny Clyde Copeland and Kim Wilson. In 1994, the Rhumba Bums reached new heights with the addition of Getit. A dynamic vocalist and “striking” blues guitarist, Getit draws inspiration from Etta James and Dinah Washington. Together, they lead a world-class ensemble that has performed with everyone from Lowell Fulson to Willie “Big Eyes” Smith. Blending swing, jump-blues, and vintage R&B, the Rhumba Bums remain a premier force in American roots music, bringing a “wild show” and “superior musicianship” to every stage they hit.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
The band has earned widespread critical acclaim, including four-star reviews from DownBeat and Blues Access magazines and a profile for Carmen Getit in the All Music Guide’s “500 Top Jazz Vocalists.” Rebecca Weller of Lincoln Center says, “Steve, Carmen, and the entire band are consummate musicians and entertainers”. Their recording history includes contributions to Pinetop Perkins’ Grammy-nominated and W.C. Handy Award-winning album Ladies Man, as well as collaborations with legends like Elvin Bishop, Odetta, John Hammond Jr, and Duke Robillard. Beyond their global festival appearances in Switzerland, Greece, and China, the group has been featured on CNN’s Showbiz, CBS’ Good Morning America, and in the MGM film Be Cool. See for yourself why DownBeat Magazine says: “The Rhumba Bums abide by Cab Calloway’s advice: ‘Live what’s in your soul and sing your friggin’ heart out.'”
Aki Kumar
Aki Kumar, San Jose’s “King of Bollywood Blues,” infuses Blues, Rock n Roll and Country with the vibrant songs of his Indian heritage, creating a unique and electrifying musical fusion. With soulful vocals, masterful harmonica skills and an undeniable stage presence, Kumar brings a fresh perspective to the blues scene, captivating audiences worldwide. Aki Kumar’s band features some of the very best SF Bay Area blues musicians. In 2020, Kumar made major news with the world-wide launch of his album “Dilruba” on Sony Music. 2025 marked a milestone year for Kumar with the release of his self-produced “Little Village” album “God Bless The USA.” He has toured extensively over the years, including in Europe, Scandinavia, Russia, Australia, India and South America.
Accolades & Accomplishments:
Aki Kumar’s was voted “Best of Silicon Valley” 2024 in Metro Silicon Valley. Kumar’s “Little Village” releases “Aki Goes To Bollywood” (2016) and “Hindi Man Blues” (2018) are considered ground-breaking albums that have garnered international critical acclaim. Aki Kumar has made multiple appearances at The Hardly Strictly Bluegrass, San Jose Jazz & SF Jazz Festivals, and has been featured on PRI “The World,” KQED Arts and CBS Bay Area.