Blue Road

Artist Information

Biography

• Chicago Tribune chose Blue Road's CD Release party as one of their "10 Must-See Shows” of the week.

Whether the top is down on the bluesmobile, you’re rockin’ and rollin’ on a Harley, or strutting soulfully on a warm summer’s day – you are probably on a “blue road” – American back-roads colored blue on the map. Blue Road’s music reminds you of all this and more…as they put the pedal to the metal with a modern twist on an old-school style.

It's always a party when Blue Road hits the stage. Their music combines roots rock, blues and soul into a tasty mix of familiar cover tunes and original songs. The sweet, soulful, funky sound of Steve Nevets vocals brings to mind a mix of Aaron Neville, Sam and Dave, and Isaac Hayes. Veteran bluesman Gary Gand handles the six strings, driving the band with spicy leads and sweet slide guitar; soul sauce flows from Joan Gand’s classic Hammond B-3 style organ and barroom piano, and R Kelly alumnus drummer Joel Treadwell cuts a mighty groove.

Special guests often include Dia Madden on vocals, Big Blake on harp, backup singers Veronica Stanford and Jocelyn Mallard, and sax man Scott Van Wagner. Blue Road was co-founded and previously fronted by the legendary Chicago soul singer Jimy Rogers of the Mauds, who passed away in 2009 from cancer. His soulful spirit and musicality will always be part of Blue Road.

With over 200 shows under their belts, Blue Road is a staple on the Chicago music scene including the 2009 and 2010 Chicago Blues Festival, rock and blues clubs all over Chicagoland, festivals, and private events. They have opened for national acts including Los Lobos, Starship, Temptations, and Billy Squire. Their music is featured regularly on radio shows across the country, including Hambone’s Blues Party, Greg Easterling's "American Backroads" and Sirius/XM Bluesville. Gary and Joan Gand were included in the book, “The Chicago Music Scene” by Dean Milano.

Instrumentation

Jimy Rogers, vocals
Gary Gand, guitar
Joan Gand, keys
Steve Nevets, bass and vocals
Joel Treadwell, drums
Plus backup singers and guest Graham Nelson, harp and vocals for larger shows

Discography

Blue Road - "Live at Gabe's Backstage Lounge" 2009

Links

• Jimy Rogers
• The Mauds

Audio

• Blues Sampler Live
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• Soul Sampler-Live
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• Take Me to the River
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• People Get Ready
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• Them Changes
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• Kiss
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• 110 In the Shade
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Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Chicago Tribune [+ Show ]
  

  Blue Road's CD Release party (September 2009) was chosen by the Chicago Tribune as one of their 10 "...Blue Road's CD Release party (September 2009) was chosen by the Chicago Tribune as one of their 10 "must see shows" of the week.

• Chicago Reader
  

  ... has a real knack for sweaty soul rock; front man Jimy Rogers practically personified it.

• Chicago Sun Times [+ Show ]
  

  "If you crave GRITTY, BLISTERING, RHYTHM & BLUES, The Mauds are your guys. JIMY ROGERS IS A BUNDLE O..."If you crave GRITTY, BLISTERING, RHYTHM & BLUES, The Mauds are your guys. JIMY ROGERS IS A BUNDLE OF DYNAMITE."
  
  — CHICAGO SUN-TIMES

• Illinois Entertainer [+ Show ]
  

  "Packs a HORN-HEAVY, IN-YOUR-FACE, JOYOUS, Stax-style R&B punch...spiritually soaring." — ILLINOIS E..."Packs a HORN-HEAVY, IN-YOUR-FACE, JOYOUS, Stax-style R&B punch...spiritually soaring." — ILLINOIS ENTERTAINER

• Chicago Blues Guide [+ Show ]
  

  Chicagoland’s Blue Road band (formerly known as Blue Truth) is a veteran troupe led by guitarist G... Chicagoland’s Blue Road band (formerly known as Blue Truth) is a veteran troupe led by guitarist Gary Gand and keyboardist Joan Gand. Fronting this funky, rockin’ band is legendary blue-eyed soul singer Jimy Rogers. In the 1960s, Jimy and his band The Mauds were the first white band to record at Chess Studios. Some 40 years later, Jimy has blown back onto the local scene without losing any of his chops. I recently had Blue Road perform on the air, and I can honestly say that I never had more fun with a band during my 15 years on the radio. Jimy is one of the finest vocal stylists and dynamic entertainers in Chicago. This excellently recorded live release captures a classic set of blues, soul and rock. Their version of “People Get Ready” is killer!!
  
  

Setlist

Blue Road's typical set lasts from 45- 60 minutes. 1/3 original songs plus Stax soul and blues classics are updated into a heavier rock sound with lots of guitar, organ and harp. Songs include Hold On, Green Onions, Them Changes, Take Me to the River, Knock on Wood, Before You Accuse Me, Kiss, Mustang Sally, Gimme Some Lovin', People Get Ready, I've Got a Woman, She Caught the Katy, Respect Yourself, 110 In the Shade, Midnight Train, Mercy Mercy Mercy. When Blue Road covers a song, they make it their own. This is not a nostalgia act - it is classic material, the way it should be done.

Basic Requirements

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