Press Release

Mojo Productions
For Immediate Release

PIKES PEAK BIG HARP BLOWDOWN III BLOWS INTO TOWN

The Facts:
What: Pikes Peak Big Harp Blowdown III, featuring Al Chesis, Ronnie Shellist, and Steve “Homeboy” Williams
When: Thursday, June 5; doors open at 6:30 PM, show starts at 7:00 PM
Where: Venue 515, 515 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs
Tickets: $12.00, $10.00 for Pikes Peak Blues Community and BAC Members
Bonus: Musical Journeys, a photo exhibition of important and influential blues, R&B, and rock artists, by famed music photographer Lilian Critchlow.
More Information: http://pikespeakbigharpblowdown.blogspot.com

Colorado Springs is invited to tap into the blues by experiencing the Pikes Peak Big Harp Blowdown III (PPBHB III). Taking place Thursday, June 5, from 7 PM until 11 PM, at Venue 515, 515 Manitou Avenue, Manitou Springs, this blues harmonica summit will present live on stage three of the region’s top harmonica players. PPBHB III presents a one-of-a-kind opportunity for local blues fans to hear some of the best blues harmonica players the Front Range has to offer. And, as if that's not enough, you'll be treated to some world class blues black-and-white photographs by Lilian Kaiser, whose work has appeared in The New York Times and Rolling Stone.

Hosted by guitar player Joe Sciallo and his band, PPBHB III will feature the following performers, all local to Colorado:

Al Chesis - Al has played blues harmonica in Colorado since the mid-1980's after moving to Denver from Washington, D.C. He has shared the stage with Canned Heat, Tommy Castro, and Homesick James, and has toured locally and nationally with Muddy Waters' son Big Bill Morganfield. Recently, Al has backed Pinetop Perkins, Steadyrollin' Bob Margolin, and Willie "Big Eyes" Smith.

Ronnie Shellist - Ronnie has dedicated his life to blues music and studied harmonica with some of the greatest players in the world. In 2005 he had the pleasure of opening for the one and only BB King at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs. Ronnie currently plays with the Shuffletones based out of Colorado Springs and Denver.

Steve “Homeboy” Williams – Steve has played in the top bands around Colorado for years, including the Bijou Street Blues Band. Though he has been in semi-retirement of late, he's sure to bring out the same kind of energy that enabled him to share the stage with the likes of two blues legends, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters.

"Three great harmonica players on the same bill--it doesn't get any better than this if you love the blues,” says Joe Sciallo, guitar player and event organizer. “We’ll get these guys in the same room, just like they used to do in Chicago in the old days, and see who's left standing at the end of the night. Colorado is really lucky to have such kick-ass harp players. ”

Bonus: You're invited to partake in the rare opportunity to see Musical Journeys, a photo exhibition featuring some of the most important and influential blues, R&B, and rock artists of our time, captured in never-before-seen intimate portraits by famed music photographer Lilian Critchlow, whose works have been published in Rolling Stone, The New York Times and many other publications. For more information on Lilian Critchlow, see http://www.noasartphoto.com.

Admission to the Pikes Peak Big Harp Blowdown is ten dollars for Pikes Peak Blues Community and BAC Members, twelve dollars for non-members.