Jonathan Ellison

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Website: https://JonathanEllisonMusic.com

Jonathan Ellison was crowned the new “King of Beale Street” in 2019. He released his debut album, “Guitar Cry for Me” to rave reviews from Living Blues Magazine and other outlets. Jonathan plans a summer 2023 release for a new single as well as a full album, “Rhythm and Soul Blues Man” in 2024.  He is the recipient of the WC Handy Heritage Award. Jonathan is currently nominated for Contemporary Blues Album for “Changing Times” with the group Silent Partners. Jonathan, along with Silent Partners, is also nominated for the prestigious Sean Costello Rising Star Award.

“The Ellison Family was performing in churches in the South. My dad couldn’t afford to buy us a tuner. He taught us to tune to Eb, the black keys on the piano. I didn’t use a tuner until I was in college.” -Jonathan Ellison

“We were like the gospel version of The Jackson Five.” Jonathan Ellison has a resonant, eloquent way of speaking about his musical upbringing in Brownsville, TN. The Ellison Family gospel group, established in the 1970s, featured Jonathan’s Mom, Ella Wee Ellison on vocals and his Dad, Ivory T. Ellison, played lead guitar. Ivory Ellison taught each of his children to play instruments. Jonathan learned to play multiple instruments by the time he was ten.

The Ellisons lived on a country road in Brownsville built beside a cotton field. “It was a musical melting pot,” says Jonathan. “Most everybody living on that road played an instrument. We’d put a couple guitar amps outside under the carport and play music. I learned to play from my father, brothers and neighborhood fellas as well.”

Jonathan is the youngest of eight children. “Dad always told us we were not better than anybody and no one was better than us. He always said, ‘Just be yourself.’ Dad looked at music as a joy. He worked several jobs so we could travel to churches and perform. He also had his own radio show. I started going to the station with him when I was five. When I was twelve, a spot became available, and I had my own radio show that I hosted until I was nineteen.” 

“Keep your car full of gas. Don’t be broke and hungry and caught on empty….” Ella Wee Ellison

Jonathan played in the “family business” until college. A student at the University of Memphis, he was only sixty miles away from home. “I always kept my gas tank full.  Memphis allowed me to be independent, but also close to family.”

Immersed in the Memphis scene, Jonathan started playing with community choirs and solo artists. He played for workshops and gospel recording sessions. His reputation as a musical artist led to playing lead guitar at BB Kings Blues Club. 

Jonathan was also part of the BB King Allstars in conjunction with Tommy Peters and the Beale Street Music Company. He performed in over sixty-two countries with The Allstars at The BB King Clubs on the Holland America Cruise ships.

Jonathan was the Musical Director and lead guitarist for the Queen of the Blues and Southern Soul, Ms. Denise LaSalle, until her death in 2018. Jonathan says the experience profoundly influenced his musical direction, but not his heart and soul and musical ministry.

“I knew I could not make a living at gospel. The first secular gig I did, I made money. Gospel is my heart, my foundation, and I don’t feel I’m just a blues artist. I’m a rhythm and soul blues man.”

“I believe no matter what kind of music I’m playing, I’m still in my ministry…I want to positively affect the hearts and minds of the audience.”

Jonathan’s gospel roots are always evident, no matter the venue in which he’s performing. “My ministry is God first. On stage, God in me is going to reflect out and onto an audience. Being on stage is my mission.”

Jonathan explains, “When you walk into a club, there’s an audience. That doesn’t happen by accident. They bought a ticket to be there. There may be someone dealing with depression or a broken relationship. I hope my music can change minds and uplift spirits. My music comes from my heart and reaches their heart and says a prayer.

A person’s mind may be in a better place after my performance.”

Jonathan’s unique musical perspective make him an unforgettable performer. His rich history, dedication to his craft, core beliefs and love of performance are a reflection of his inspiring soul.

Kat Riggins

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Official Website: http://www.KatRiggins.com

Kat Riggins was born Katriva Riggins in Miami, Florida on February 7, 1980. She grew up in a household where there was always background music. Because of the wide range of genres in her parents’ collection, Kat developed a love for all types of music from gospel and soul to country and rock and everything in between.

She was drawn to the smoky gritty sounds of artists like Bessie Smith, Sam Cooke, Nina Simone, Tina Turner, Denise LaSalle, Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, Mavis Staples, Tracy Chapman, Janis Joplin and the list goes on. She grew up singing in local programs, church events, and family gatherings with her sister and cousins. At age 23 Kat landed a gig singing jazz and blues standards in a small lounge in Sunny Isles Beach, Florida with the accompaniment of only a piano player. Fast forward to today, and she has since performed with extraordinary musicians throughout the United States, Southeast Asia, the U.A.E., the Dutch Antilles and Europe.

In 2018 and 2019 Kat was featured in the Johan Derksen Keeps the Blues Alive tour, which stole the hearts theatregoers in sold out shows throughout The Netherlands. She has also appeared on two of the highest rated prime time television shows on Dutch TV (Voetbal Inside and PAUW) where she mesmerized millions of viewers and helped to introduce the Blues to hordes of new fans!

Kat’s own musical style is a blend of the Blues with elements of all of the genres born from it. Aside from the hip shakin’ fun stuff…Kat writes songs that hope to uplift, enlighten and inspire. Her approach is refreshing and unapologetically authentic.

With her first two works (an EP called “Seoul Music” and an original album called “Lily Rose”), Kat penned each song with subtle hints of her love of the blues. Her follow-up album, aptly named after her movement “Blues Revival”, however, is a loud and proud declaration of that love!

“Blues Revival” is a clever mash-up of Gospel-Blues, Blues-rock, Blues- soul, funky Blues, contemporary and traditional Blues, with BLUES being the operative word! Her third album (“In the Boys’ Club”) is an homage to the Blues women who came before her, a shout out to those who walk beside her and encouragement for those women in Blues who will come after.

In January of 2020 Mike Zito and Guy Hale welcomed Kat Riggins to their Gulf Coast Records family! Kat’s debut album on the record label earned the artist her first Blues Music Award nomination. In addition to the BMA nod for Contemporary Blues Album, the “Cry Out” project won Kat two Independent Blues Awards (Contemporary Blues Album and Contemporary Blues Band) and it continues to receive rave reviews! Kat was honoured to score her 2ND BMA nomination the following year for Blues Soul Artist female!

Kat’s second release on the label, “Progeny”, debut at #13 on the Billboard Blues charts to critical acclaim! The album got Kat her first Blues Blast Awards nomination and 5 MORE Independent Blues Award nominations! Progeny continues to be well received worldwide, and is said to be the singer- songwriter’s best to date, by critics and fans alike. With these and albums to come, Kat Riggins’s Blues Revival Movement endeavours to be a part of this musical revolution that aims to awaken the masses and introduce them to the sincerity behind Blues music!

Tony Holiday

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Website: https://tonyholidaymusic.com/

Tony Holiday is a multi-talented, award winning musician and entertainer hailing from Memphis, Tennessee.

Originally from Salt Lake City, Utah, Tony moved to Memphis in 2017 and has attached himself to the North Mississippi style of music. Tony infuses his traditional roots into a melting pot of different styles which covers multiple genres of music.

Tony’s drive and his incredible talent on the harmonica has earned the soulful singer opening spots with people from many genres including Willie Nelson, BB King, Steve Miller Band, Jason Isbell, Blind Boys of Alabama, and Charlie Musselwhite to mention just a few. Tony has also performed with legends such as Bobby Rush, John Nemeth, Guitar Shorty, Samantha Fish, Victor Wainwright and Southern Avenue.

Touring nationally and internationally, Tony is a family man and an entertainer who loves connecting with people and above all, bringing people together. The Memphis Flyer described Tony’s show as “Electric Hill Country, three part harmonies, and a heap of Memphis Lightning that is flat out ENTERTAINING!!”

Tony has released 3 critically acclaimed records on Vizztone and Nola Blue Records, (Nominated for 2 Blues Blast Awards) and 2 volumes of his Porch Sessions, as well as an EP called “Soul Service” produced by Ori Naftaly of Southern Avenue at the legendary Zebra Ranch recording studio in Coldwater, Mississippi. Tony is currently signed with the renowned Forty Below Records.

Tony has played the Legendary Blues Cruise multiple times and has played festivals and shows all over the world. So whether you catch the “Prince of the Porch,” as dubbed by Blues Blast Magazine, sitting with blues icons on porches across the world, on a cruise to paradise, or watching him play at a local club or festival, Tony is sure to entertain!