News
Two Handy Nominations!
The Blues Foundation is sending out a press release announcing this year’s Handy Award nominations… and 2 Yellow Dog Records albums are nominated! The Bo-Keys are nominated in the “Best New Artist Debut” category, while Big Joe Duskin is nominated for “Comeback Blues Album of the Year”.
We’ll post more details as they become available – the full list from the Blues Foundation is posted here. Congratulations to Big Joe and The Bo-Keys!
Big Joe Inducted into City Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame
In an awards ceremony November 22, piano blues legend Big Joe Duskin was inducted into the City Entertainment Awards Hall of Fame. The awards, presented by CityBeat magazine, recognize, celebrate and reward the artists who are on the cutting edge of Cincinnati’s performing arts community.
The City of Cincinnati marked Big Joe‘s appearance at this summer’s Cincy Blues Festival with a proclamation of Saturday, July 31st as “Big Joe Duskin Day”. He was presented with a Key to the City before his music performance at the festival. Read Press Release…
For the rest of the world not living in Cincinnati, we released Duskin’s all-new studio album nationwide on September 7th. The album, “Big Joe Jumps Again!”, sees Joe joined by the King rhythm section as well as a few special guests including Cincinnatian Peter Frampton. Big Joe knocks out 15 stellar blues tracks, as well as a special narrative track where he describes the story of his struggle with his preacher father, who didn’t exactly approve of Joe playing “the Devil’s music.”
- More details and sound samples
- Available now! Order here
The Bo-Keys in Hustle and Flow!
Memphis soul powerhouse The Bo-Keys are currently at work recording music for the upcoming film Hustle and Flow. Scott Bomar’s score for the movie, directed by Memphis filmmaker Craig Brewer and Executive Produced by John Singleton (“Boyz N the Hood”) evokes the heyday of soul music’s most creative era.
The Bo-Keys featured on NPR’s All Things Considered !
NPR’s review of The Bo-Keys‘ The Royal Sessions brought the album to the attention of millions of listeners, propelling the title to #42 on Amazon.com’s sales rankings. Reviewer Meredith Ochs said, “Don’t expect classic ’60s R&B… Their version of the music includes lengthy jams and elements of jazz and hip-hop, but they still cook up a fine soul stew.” Hear the review from “All Things Considered” archived here. UPDATE: interview aired on the nationally syndicated “House of Blues Radio Hour” and new review on NPR’s Fresh Air, archived here.
This followed on the heels of a review in USA Today which praised the album as “steeped in tradition but with a thoroughly updated sound… a bubbling stew of Southern-fried soul.” Here’s the link to read the review online… and another link to read an earlier USA Today article featuring the group as one of several leading a resurgence of soul-based music. And, another recent feature in the Charlotte Observer also describing the Bo-Keys’ role in the “retro-soul” trend.
You can pick up the Bo-Keys’ debut CD, The Royal Sessions, at stores nationwide, or simply order here for immediate shipment!
- More details and sound samples