The Bluescasters
Encyclopedia
The Bluescasters is a Michigan blues band
formed in 2004 in Ann Arbor who play in a style somewhat reminiscent of the Allman Brothers' Trouble No More
. Current band members include Doug Wolgat (Bass/Vocals), Harry Rodman (Drums/Vocals), Phil Ryski (Guitar
/Harmonica
/Keyboards
), and Brian Delaney (Guitar
/Slide guitar
).
in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founding members Doug Wolgat and Harry Rodman met while playing with The Witch Doctors
. After playing in local clubs for a year, the Bluescasters released their debut album, Five Dimes, followed by Give Yourself the Blues in 2006. Their third album LIVE was released in 2010.
They have performed at the Alpena Blues Festival, Plymouth's Music in the Air, Ypsilanti's Heritage Festival, and at many Michigan clubs. In 2009, they opened for Jim McCarty and Mystery Train
, and in 2010 for Kim Wilson's Blues All Stars
.
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
formed in 2004 in Ann Arbor who play in a style somewhat reminiscent of the Allman Brothers' Trouble No More
Trouble No More
Trouble No More is American singer-songwriter and musician John Mellencamp's eighteenth full-length album and his final recording for Columbia Records, released in 2003. It consists of blues and folk covers....
. Current band members include Doug Wolgat (Bass/Vocals), Harry Rodman (Drums/Vocals), Phil Ryski (Guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/Harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
/Keyboards
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
), and Brian Delaney (Guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
/Slide guitar
Slide guitar
Slide guitar or bottleneck guitar is a particular method or technique for playing the guitar. The term slide refers to the motion of the slide against the strings, while bottleneck refers to the original material of choice for such slides: the necks of glass bottles...
).
History
The Bluescasters band was founded in 2004 as a blues bandBlues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Founding members Doug Wolgat and Harry Rodman met while playing with The Witch Doctors
Thayrone X
Thayrone X is a radio DJ and talk show host in southeastern Michigan. He is the host of The Bone Conduction Music Show and On The Edge With Thayrone. Both shows are broadcast on WAAM in Ann Arbor, as well as being available in webcast format. He is also the leader of the blues band named the...
. After playing in local clubs for a year, the Bluescasters released their debut album, Five Dimes, followed by Give Yourself the Blues in 2006. Their third album LIVE was released in 2010.
They have performed at the Alpena Blues Festival, Plymouth's Music in the Air, Ypsilanti's Heritage Festival, and at many Michigan clubs. In 2009, they opened for Jim McCarty and Mystery Train
Jim McCarty (guitarist)
James William McCarty is an American blues rock guitarist from Detroit, Michigan. He has performed with Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, the Buddy Miles Express, Cactus, the popular Detroit rock band The Rockets, the Detroit Blues Band, and more recently, Mystery Train.He also recorded with...
, and in 2010 for Kim Wilson's Blues All Stars
The Fabulous Thunderbirds
The Fabulous Thunderbirds are an American, Grammy-nominated Blues rock band, formed in 1974.-Career:After performing for several years in the Austin, Texas blues scene, the band won a recording contract with Takoma/Chrysalis Records, and later on signed with Epic Records.Their first two albums,...
.
Discography
- Five Dimes (2005)
- Give Yourself the Blues (2006)
- LIVE (2010)
Awards
- 2006 - Finalists in the Detroit Blues Society Blues Challenge
- 2007 - Detroit Music AwardsDetroit Music AwardsThe Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
nomination: "Outstanding Blues Artist/Group" - 2007 - Detroit Music AwardsDetroit Music AwardsThe Detroit Music Awards was initially proposed in 1988. Presented by the Motor City Music Foundation, the multi-genre awards ceremony was established to bring recognition to Detroit area musicians. The first award show was held in 1992 at Detroit's Music Hall, and moved to the State Theatre in...
nomination: "Outstanding Blues/R & B Recording" for Give Yourself the Blues - 2010 - Finalists in the Windsor Battle of the Blues (placed second)