Charlie Musselwhite: Guitar, Vocals and Harmonica 
Ricky “Quicksand” Martin: Drums* 
Barry Bays: acoustic standup Bass*  

Produced by Gary Vincent and Henri Musselwhite 
Recorded at Clarksdale SoundStage, Clarksdale, MS 
Recorded and Mixed by Gary Vincent 
CD mastered by Gary Vincent and Bob Olhsson 
Sequenced by Eric Conn 
Photos by Rory Doyle
Design by Kevin Niemiec 
Executive Producer: Henri Musselwhite  

www.charliemusselwhite.com  

Thanks to Paula and Paul Jackson at Rest Haven Restaurant, Roger Stolle at the Cat Head store, Bubba O’Keefe at Clarksdale, MS Tourism, Bill Talbot at the Shack Up Inn, Hal Lansky at Lansky Bros. Clothier in Memphis, Carol and Gary Vincent, Bill Bowker, Janette Burton, Deak Harp, Ronnie Drew, Billy Landes, Toni and Virgil Conway, BlowsMeAway Productions harmonica mics and Shelley Ritter at the Delta Blues Museum. Charlie plays Seydel Harmonicas exclusively.   

As a child growing up in Memphis, I was first attracted to the field holler blues I heard along Cypress Creek in my neighborhood. A few years later led me to the country blues players I heard on guitar in my neighborhood, in downtown Memphis and on Beale Street. And I haven’t stopped being attracted to this style of guitar some call country blues.   

When I was 13 my dad gave me his old Supertone guitar. I was already fooling around with playing blues on harmonica, but I loved the sound of acoustic blues guitar, too. I clearly remember sitting in my bedroom in my mom’s house and making an E chord on that guitar and then putting my little finger down to turn that E chord into an E7 chord. And when I played that chord with the blue note added and heard that for the first time, something inside me went “ahhhhhhhhhhh....” That ol’ E7 chord grabbed me and I knew I had to have more of THAT!!  

In my teens I started hanging out on Beale Street...the original Beale Street...not the tourist trap Beale Street of today...I got to see and hear street singers singing and playing the real blues. Eventually I got to know some of the old time blues men like Furry Lewis, Will Shade, Willie Borum and Earl Bell. I learned a lot just sitting around and jamming with them I had no idea that I was preparing myself for a career or I would’ve paid a LOT more attention. I thought I was just having fun learning the blues. I loved the blues and I just HAD to play them. So, this is the music I love and I hope you’ll enjoy it, too. My heart is definitely in it.

Mississippi Son

Buy or Stream

Charlie Musselwhite - In Your Darkest Hour

The Cash Box Kings are: 
Joe Nosek: Harmonica, Vocals (5,9), Acoustic Guitar (9)
Oscar Wilson: Vocals 
Billy Flynn: Lead Guitar, Baritone Guitar (5) 
Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith: Drums (1,4,7,8) 
John W. Lauler: Upright and Electric Bass 
Lee Kanehira: Piano, Organ   

With Special Guests:
Deitra Farr: Vocals (4)
John Nemeth: Vocals (10)
Shoji Naito: Rhythm Guitar (1,4,7,8), Kick Drum (3) 
Andrew Diehl: Rhythm Guitar (5,6,9,10,11) 
Derek Hendrickson: Drums (5,9,10,11) 
Alex Hall: Drums (2,6) 
Cameron Webb: Vocals (6) 
Xavier Lynn: Rhythm Guitar (2) 
Jon McDonald: Guitar (3)  

The C-Note Horns: 
Al Falaschi: Tenor and Baritone Saxophones (2,5) 
Jim Doherty: Trumpet (2)  

Produced by Joe Nosek 
Recorded by Alex Hall at Reliable Recorders/Hi-Style Studio, Chicago, IL 
Mixed by Alex Hall and Bruce Iglauer 
Mastered by Collin Jordan and Bruce Iglauer at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL 
Design by Kevin Niemiec 
Band Photos by Janet Mami Takayama 
Other Photos by SBT4NOW (cover), Dylan Fout (back cover) and Jo Naylor (door)  

This album is dedicated to all the frontline workers who worked selflessly throughout the pandemic to care for others. Those workers include our wives Kristina Espinoza, Felicia Wilson, Mary Flynn, and Holly Smith.  

The CBKs tip their crowns to the following: Danny Person, Sarah Lauler, Kaitlyn Hendrickson, Donna McNeil, Juan and Lydia Espinoza, Deitra Farr, Dr. Eugene Kwon & Dr. Stanley Stish and the Mayo Clinic Oncology Staff, John Hahn, Dave Sawtelle, Sue Moore, Eric Simpson, Koki Kanehira, Jon Penner, Steve Jones and the Crossroads Blues Society, Mike McCann, Al Rasho, Tom McCarty, Dave Specter, Marc Maddox and the crew at Buddy Guy’s Legends, Greg Guy, Dave Specter and SPACE, FitzGerald’s, Doug and Cheryl Lewis, Tony, Jennifer & the crew at Rosa’s Lounge, Jimmy Voegeli, Linda Cain, Merideth Colby, and Karen Murphy. The CBKs also want to express their royal gratitude to Bruce Iglauer and the entire Alligator staff for all their support. You guys are the BEST.  

Oscar Wilson would like to give thanks to his parents Harvey & Maxine Wilson. RIHP!

The Cash Box Kings

Oscar's Motel

The Cash Box Kings - Trying So Hard

Riffin' The Blue

Brown Liquor Woman

Gone Fishin'

I'm Going Fishing

All songs by Chris O’Leary, Lawn Dog Music, admin. by Eyeball Music, BMI

1. No Rest
2. Lost My Mind
3. Ain't That A Crime
4. My Fault
5. I Cry At Night
6. Things Ain't Always What They Seem
7. Lay These Burdens Down
8. Need For Speed
9. You Break It, You Bought It
10. Who Robs A Musician?
11. Funly Little Club On Decatur
12. Love's For Sale

Produced by Chris O’Leary
All tracks recorded by Dan Vitarello at Cupola Studios, Ridgefield, CT except as noted
I Cry At Night recorded by Chris Peet at Man O’War Studios, West Palm Beach, FL.
Additional recording by Dan Vitarello at Cupola Studios
Things Ain’t Always What They Seem recorded by Will Bryant and Lee Falco at The Building, Marlboro, NY.
Mixed by Blaise Barton and Bruce Iglauer at Joyride Studios, Chicago, IL
Mastered by Collin Jordan and Bruce Iglauer at The Boiler Room, Chicago, IL
Photos by Paul Natkin, Photo Reserve
Packaging by Kevin Niemiec
Executive Producer: Bruce Iglauer

Chris O’Leary: Vocals and Harmonica, Guitar (1), Bass (9)
Chris Vitarello: Guitar (1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
Greg Gumpel: Guitar (4, 6), Slide Guitar (11, 12)
Monster Mike Welch: Guitar (5)
Jesse O’Brien: Piano (1, 2, 4), Organ (1, 3)
Brooks Milgate: Piano (6, 8, 9, 11, 12)
Jeremy Baum: Piano (5, 10), Organ (5, 10)
Andy Huenerberg: Bass (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12)
Matt Raymond: Bass (6)
Dan Vitarello: Drums (1, 3, 8, 9. 12)
Michael Bram: Drums (2, 4, 7, 10, 11), Percussion (4, 7, 10, 11)
Andrei Koribanics: Drums (5)
Ray Hangen: Drums (6)
Andy Stahl: Tenor Sax (1,5, 6)
Ron Knittle: Baritone Sax (1, 5)
Darren Sterud: Trombone (11)
Nick Bartell: Saxophones (11)
Chris Difrancesco: Baritone Sax (6)
Libby Cabello: Background Vocals (6)
Willa Vincitore: Background Vocals (6)

Mike Welch appears courtesy of Gulf Coast Records

This recording is dedicated to the loving memory of Christine Powers.

The Hard Line

Chris O'Leary - Who Robs A Musician?

Chris O'Leary - Lay These Burdens Down

https://michaellocke.net/

Michael Locke was raised in South Florida and began playing guitar when he was seven. Michael’s father was a jazz aficionado and saturated Michael with the genius of artists such as Lester Young, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt and, Michael’s mentors – Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio. Michael attended the University of Miami, majoring in Jazz Guitar. But then he heard the Blues! He found that in Blues music he could completely and freely express himself. He moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s and fell under the tutelage of his now close friend and longtime bluesman, Johnny Nitro. Thanks to Johnny’s encouragement, Michael developed his own style and set off on his own to front an electric blues trio.

You Done Did It

Michael Locke - Cost of Lovin'

From the new Mississippi MacDonald and the Cottonmouth Kings Album, American Accent. Available direct from www.mississippimacdonald.com, and on CD Baby for digital downloads

You Said You Were Leaving

A diverse mix of Blues, RnB, Soul and American Roots influenced original compostions.

Hoodoo & Holy Water

Nobody's Dog

Drunkman Live at Carnagie G

Drunkman Blues (feat. Todd Curry)

All songs by Chris Cain, Chris Cain Music admin. by Eyeball Music, BMI   

Produced, Recorded, Mixed and Mastered by Kid Andersen at Greaseland Studios, San Jose, CA  
Cover Photo by Tina Abbaszadeh  
Additional Photos by Marilyn Stringer  
Management and Booking: Suzy Tyler, suzytyler22@gmail.com

Among the greatest compliments a musician can receive is praise from his fellow artists. With more than three decades of touring and fourteen previous albums, master blues guitarist and vocalist Chris Cain has earned his reputation as a musician's musician. Since his first release in 1987, Cain has created his very own blues sound inspired by his heroes--B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Albert Collins, Grant Green and Wes Montgomery. His jazz-informed blues guitar playing is fiery, emotional and always unpredictable. His vocals--gruff, lived-in and powerful--add fuel to the fire. His indelible original songs keep one foot in the blues tradition and both eyes on the future. The pure joy Cain brings to his playing and singing is palpable, and draws fans even closer in.

Upon first discovering Cain in 1987, Guitar Player raved, "Cain is an impressive, top-notch guitarist. His full-bodied tone and surprisingly big voice packed a punch that had me reeling." The Washington Post declared, "Chris Cain is a hot-shot guitarist and a singer with the maturity of old blues masters like Bobby Bland and B.B. King." Guitar icon Robben Ford said, "Chris Cain is for real. He's a great blues player with an intensity that keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what he's going to do next. Plus he knows how to write a song you haven't heard before, full of humor and insight. If you like the blues you'll like Chris Cain. I am a stone fan."

With his Alligator Records debut album, Raisin' Cain, Chris Cain says he is at a new point in his career. "I'm playing and writing better than ever before. I can say more with less," he says, referring to his dynamic guitar playing and superb songwriting. "My songs are funky and danceable and my writing is now less personal diary than in the past. I want my songs to tell universal stories." Recorded in San Jose at producer and multi-instrumentalist Kid Andersen's Greaseland Studio, Raisin' Cain features twelve original Cain compositions. From the deeply autobiographical Born To Play to the humorous and rocking Hush Money to the late-night jazzy blues of I Don't Know Exactly What's Wrong With My Baby, Cain's songs deliver uncommon, surprising hooks and riffs coming in rapid-fire succession. On four songs, Cain shows off his stellar keyboard skills, and on the far-out instrumental Space Force, he proves himself a funky and jazzy ARP Soloist player. Along with Cain is his road-tested band, bassist Steve Evans and keyboardist/organist Greg Rahn, with Chris' touring drummer Sky Garcia and veteran D'mar Martin (Little Richard, Rick Estrin & The Nightcats) sharing the skins.

Joining Alligator Records is a dream come true for Cain, who grew up idolizing label giants like Hound Dog Taylor and Son Seals. "Alligator cares so much about the music and the artists," Cain says. "I'm really excited to be a part of it. And I've got the best pack of tunes I've ever written."

Raisin' Cain

Chris Cain - Born To Play

Since its inception, Alligator has always kept a close eye both on new artists and new technologies. In the 1970s, the company produced LPs, cassettes and 8-track tapes. In the 1980s, Alligator was the first blues company to produce CDs, and in the 1990s Alligator was among the first labels to market its catalog over the Internet. These days, alligator.com, the label's website, and its social media sites are instantly updated with the latest news and tour dates. At the website, visitors can listen to a 250-song jukebox while reading bios of every artist, get free downloads and purchase CDs and other blues-related merchandise. Alligator is also deeply involved in the downloading worlds, working closely with almost all of the legitimate download services, making thousands of Alligator tracks available for instant online purchase.

Today Alligator Records is fueled by the same principles that it first established in 1971. The label continues to push forward, still bucking the odds, with everybody working long hours on a shoestring budget. The entire staff is always looking for new talent and listening to a wide variety of roots music. As driven and determined as ever, Alligator is committed to the future. "I want to keep bringing blues and roots music to new fans and getting them as excited about the music as I am," says Iglauer. 

Chris O'Leary - Who Robs A Musician?

AlligatorRecords

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