KEVIN KIMBALL

Electric slide guitarist, dobro player, vocalist, and bandleader, Kevin has been described by critics as both "masterful" and "the most underrated guitarist in the state". Originally from Sanford, Maine, he's been making blues happen at home and abroad for over three decades. More recently, he has twice represented the State of Maine in the International Blues Challenge (IBC) held in Memphis, Tennessee and has been awarded Lifetime Membership in the Maine Blues Society.

THE MUSICIANS

DEB DANUSKI

With warm, sultry vocals that have been characterized as "sly" and "deliberately understated", Deb is a founding member of one of Maine's longest continuously running blues acts, Blue Steel Express.Following the release of their debut CD "Doin' That Crosstie Strut", Deb and the 'Express represented Maine in the 2001 IBC. Currently President of the Maine Blues Society, Deb has been awarded Lifetime Member.

BUB LYNCH

Master drummer Bub Lynch was at the forefront of musicians that established the blues scene in Maine nearly two decades ago at the now legendary "Raoul's Roadside Attraction". He has since been one of the most in-demand drummers in the region, both opening for and playing with the likes of Livingston Taylor, Johnny Winter, and Eddie Kirkland. Bub represented Maine in the 2001 IBC and is a Maine Blues Society Lifetime Member.

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DON WHITCOMB

Don "Sven" Whitcomb is without a doubt "the bass player's bass player". Originally from the Boston area, Don studied bass at the world-renowned Berklee School of Music. He's been playing the blues ever since, and both toured and recorded with blues great Johnny Copeland (yeah, that's Shemekia's Dad!). Don is a Maine Blues Society Lifetime Member and represented Maine in the 2001 IBC.

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TOM O'CONNELL

Blues harp wizard and vocalist Tom O'Connell is a bandleader in his own right. Whether fronting his own band ("the Tom O'Connell Blues Band") or belting out the mojo in one of the Mad Captain's concoctions, Tom is force of nature onstage. An absolute master of the "West Coast Swing" genre of blues, Tom is nevertheless equally at home in virtually all other forms blues may take. Tom represented Maine in the 2005 International Blues Competition.

RALPH THOMPSON

Flautist (that's fancy talk for "flute player") Ralph Thomson has been a fixture on the Maine music scene for quite awhile, and has done extensive work with Arlo West. While one doesn't normally associate the flute with blues, several years ago a blues band noticed that Ralph seemed undaunted by any musical curve ball thrown his way. Out curiosity as much as anything, they invited him to play. The band was "the Mojo Romeos" and the story goes that they didn't realize that they needed a flute player until they heard Ralph! In 2005 Ralph and the Mojo Romeos represented Maine in the IBC.

BOB HIGGINS

Bassist and vocalist Bob Higgins came on the blues scene several years ago quite by accident - literally! Blue Steel Express bassist Don Whitcomb was recovering from a terrible traffic accident, and the band had to find a bassist who could cover their commitments and Don's parts - and in a hurry! Bob stepped up to the plate, saved the day (and the band!) and hardly a beat was missed. Currently playing for Pam Baker and the SG's, Bob still works occasionally with the Steeldrivers and is now one of the leading "go-to" bassists for a number of bands in the Maine blues scene today.

BOB TINGLE

Bob is the original bassist for the Mojo Romeos. He, too, became a well established first-call bassman in Maine, but unfortunately for Maine, he has since moved on to Atlanta, Georgia. Prior to his move to the Peach State, Bob competed on behalf of Maine in the 2004 IBC and has been awarded Lifetime Member in the Maine Blues Society.

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THE BANDS:

BLUE STEEL EXPRESS

Blue Steel Express is the band that started this whole circus. Formed in 1993, the 'Express is comprised of Kevin Kimball, Deb Danuski, Bub Lynch, and Don Whitcomb. The band features tight arrangements of blues standards and original material built around Deb's vocals, Kevin's slide playing, and classy presentation. Their debut CD, "Doin That Crosstie Strut", received steady FM airplay and was hailed as "one of the most pleasant surprises of the year"  by music critcs. Over the years they have performed at numerous regional music festivals and have shared the stage with a number of national blues acts including Saffire, Tab Benoit, and Shemekia Copeland.

KEVIN AND THE STEELDRIVERS

The Steeldrivers are a more raw, rough-and-ready outfit. They are: Kevin, Bub, and Don (and occasionally Tom O'Connell). This band is all about barrel-house grooves, slash-and-burn bottleneck slide, and juke-joint-jumping on a payday Friday night! Think you got what it takes to spend an evening with these Blues Dawgs? If you think you do, then here's a hint: Wear loose clothing and come thirsty!

THE MOJO ROMEOS

The Mojo Romeos are a drummerless, semi-acoustic quartet very much akin to the John Mayall "Turning Point" project. This band features Kevin on dobro and vocals, Tom O'Connell on harp and vocals, Ralph on flute, acoustic guitar and vocals, and Don on bass. The absence of drums (sorry, Bub!) allows this blues band to explore low-volume dynamics and textures that would otherwise be unavailable in more conventional formats.

DEB AND KEVIN (and Ralph)

 Occasionally joined by Ralph on flute, this combination lets Kevin and Deb take acoustic resonator guitar and voice into regions that would be impossible in a full-band setting. Think "Blue Steel Express Unplugged". It's cool, it's mellow, and it's fresh!

KEVIN AND TOM

When Kevin and Tom team up for an acoustic duo, it's entirely about "playin' da blooze" and having the most fun possible. Watching them is like watching two flim-flam artists swapping tall tales (all right, LIES!) over cold beers on a hot summer night, each trying to outdo the other!

THE MAINE BLUES REVUE

First of all, the Maine Blues Revue is HUGE! It's all of the musicians listed above plus a whole bunch more added in to form a 12+ piece "super-band". The other thing that makes the Revue unique is that it is one continual 2-3 hour show with no breaks or intermission. Don't blink, you'll miss something! Though the music never completely stops, individual musicians are constantly moving on and off the stage, and the performance is sprinkled with a number of light comedy sketches. At the close of the show, all the players return to the stage in a grand finale that has never failed to bring the house down!