Artist InformationBiography
WEBSITE: www.bpsblues.com
PERFORMANCE VIDEOS AT WEBSITE ONLY !!
ONLINE BOOKING THRU: www.Gigmasters.com/liveband/BluePlateSpecial
Worldwide Album Distribution:
www.cdbaby.com/all/bluesist
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Sat. Sept. 12th/2009 Blue Plate Special Headlines Beloit Folk and Blues Festival - BPS proves why all Blues Festivals should be adding their name to next years lineup !! Capacity crowd of 4,200 on their feet from the very first stinging guitar notes ! The crowd pushed up to the front of the stage and stayed Rockin' for 90 minutes- non stop !! Sold 400 CD's !! From the explosive stage performance and vocals to the return of the day of guitar wizardry - This is the band to watch for 2009 and beyond !! THE BLUES IS ALIVE HERE !!.... and the reason is Originality, and Expert showmanship !!
Thank you Beloit Folk and Blues Festival for showing all how it should be done !!
Blue Plate Special's album 'Can You Dig It !" has been selected into the running for "Blues Album of the Year for 2009 by BMI, ASCAP and SESAC members at www.justplainfolks.org !!
WHAT DOES BLUE PLATE SPECIAL BRING TO THE TABLE ?
" In a perfect Music World, Blue Plate Special would be hailed as Exceptional and they’d be on the road 300-plus nights a year and Festival-Headliners. We can always hope that the Music Scene straightens itself out and starts embracing Talent and Soulfulness again." Well, every time I’ve listened to “Can You Dig It!!” I get more and more convinced that Blue Plate Special needs to be ranked in the TOP 5 BLUES/ROCK BANDS IN NORTH AMERICA ! Very, very few bands still have that so-important connection to what it’s supposed to be about. When I hear this album, it rekindles my fires and the belief that Music Has The Power To Change The World for The Better. 5 Big Bottles for a perfect example of what BluesRock (or Hard-Rockin’ Blues…) should sound like. "
…A. Grigg /Editor-Publisher/ Real Blues Magazine/ Dec. 2007
Energetic- Electric Blues that begs you to react!! Energized audiences, moving and singing along !
In a time when musical groups come and go as quickly as the rapid-fire images on MTV, Blues singer/songwriter R.P. Michaels and Blue Plate Special have stayed true to their blues roots for over 38 years. While Blue Plate Special has consistently brought new contemporary blues songs to the worldwide blues community, what hasn't changed is the friendship, collaboration and passion for the Blues. This Chicago based trio's sheer enjoyment in performing together shines through each and every night!!
Since the release of their 3 most recent CD's 1998's "No Place To Fade" 2000's The Blues Ain't Pretty and 2007's Can You Dig It !", Blue Plate Special has had 24 songs hit the #1 chart position (see Discography) on Blues Radio stations around the world !!
Although some acts from other areas like to hang the name "Chicago" on their billing, this group truly has played almost every major and minor club throughout Chicagoland. Blue Plate Special was there at The Cellar in Arlington Heights, Illinois in '69-'72 opening for Howlin' Wolf, Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues Allstars, Zephyr w/Tommy Bolin on guitar and The Bob Seger System. They were among the artists that played at the Otis Spann Memorial Benefit where Willie Dixon and Buddy Guy introduced the Blues community to Koko Taylor singing Wang Dang Doodle. Blue Plate Special (with former member Studebaker John on Harp) was one of the first bands to lead the famous Blue Monday Jam session at Chicago's Kingston Mines ! They also were the house band for two years at John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd's Blues Brothers Bar on Wells Street.
Other than headlining, Blue Plate Special has opened at concerts by Charlie Musselwhite, Paul Butterfield, Ozark Mountain Daredevils, Siegal-Schwall Blues Band, Heartsfield, Leon Russell, Edgar Winter, Lonnie Brooks, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Lil' Ed and the Blues Imperials, Mitch Ryder, The Kinsey Report, Larry McCray and Wayne Baker Brooks.
They have also performed at the Chicago Bears Fan Convention and Wyeth Pharmaceuticals Convention and Sears Corporate shows.
ALL MIDWEST APPEARANCES BY BLUE PLATE SPECIAL ARE ANNOUNCED ON THE LISTINGS PAGE AT: www.ILLINOISBLUES.com -(The most popular site for venue attending Blues Fans in the Tri-State area !)
BLUE PLATE SPECIAL is Featured in cover story of the September/07 issue of "BLUES ROCKS THE WORLD" magazine from Paris, France. go to: www.bluesrocks.net for free download of this issue!
The Blues Radio listeners and Blues Festival attendees are one and the same. The current hit songs, powerful sounds and all-around good vibe of Blue Plate Special makes them a great addition to your Blues Festival; an honest homage to the past mixed with the new blood of the present and the determination to Bring The Blues into the Future!
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Instrumentation
R.P. Michaels - Vocals, Bass and Keyboards.
Robert Pasenko - Drums.
Marty Macmillan - Guitar (various Tunings and Slide),
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The three members of Blue Plate Special and their own personal histories are:
R.P. Michaels
Songwriter, vocals, bass and keyboards
Ron's variety of skills leads the direction for each song, sometimes pounding out rhythm on his bass and then rolling the organ thru a ballad and later playing the boogie woogie on the piano (and even all three while continuously singing --- it's truly amazing!). Reviewer Bob Gabrella of In The Mix magazine described R.P. as a performer who "wrings the gamut of emotion from a powerful set of vocal pipes and at the same time lays down a furious range of bass licks." Ed Ivey of Blues Review said "Michaels is a great singer with gruff roadhouse vocals." Outside of his work with Blue Plate, R.P. played as an on call bassist for Muddy Waters and also Sam Lay back in 1971-72. During this time, R.P. was aided by Muddy, Willie Dixon, Charlie Musselwhite, and Cary Baker which led to gigs (Peppers, High Chaparral, Kingston Mines) and other industry contacts.
ROBERT PASENKO on Drums- The "Kingpin " of Blues Drummers. Full time member as of 06/07. He brings many years of experience and creativity to the "Blue Plate Special" Lineup. Robert has provided the drive behind many Chicago Blues Artists such as Tommy McCracken, Sammy Fender and many others. He is a drummer on call at Buddy Guy's Legends.
Robert is also the host and leader of the world famous 35th street All Pro Blues Jam in Chicago at Catchers Inn, 901 W. 35th Street. Ron and Marty are also part of this top flite House Band.
MARTY MACMILLAN - Guitar and Vocals.
Fantastic guitarist who brings new energy through his use of various unusual tunings as well as a stinging Slide guitar. Marty hails originally from the Detroit area. His guitar playing adds the uniqueness of Guitar wizardry to the Blue Plate sound, and will be featured on our new upcoming releases. Marty brings a wealth of talent and new direction with his love of blues and rockabilly and his explosive technique.
Contact, Label and Tour Direction:
Prime Entertainment
www.bpsblues.com
547 W. Edgewood Rd.
Lombard, IL. 60148
bluesist@aol.com
630 207 0340
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Website: www.bpsblues.com
Fansite: www.myspace.com/blueplatespecialband.com
Discography
BLUE PLATE SPECIAL ALBUMS:
Can You Dig It! - CD released 04/01/06
Hard Enuff*, Can You Dig It*, Workin' On Love*, Rocket In Your Pocket*, She's Got My Number, I Like It Like That*, Right Now *, Feel So Good*, Luck Runs Out*, Yer' Bad Behind*, Baby's Been On My Mind*, Don't Lose The Spirit*, Have A Little Faith, Unchain My Heart.
The Blues Ain't Pretty - CD released 01/15/00
Crank It Up, Tell The Truth*. The Phone Call*,
Quicksand, Real Fast Life*, Chains*, Not In The Mood*, Get Some Fun Out Of Life*, Disneyland,
Ready To Play, Bad Drugs And Alcohol, No Escape From The Blues, Reachin'*, Knock Knock*.
No Place To Fade - CD released 1998
Stand*, Fire Alarm, Millionaire*, Homework*, No Place To Fade, Your Heart Ain't In It, Somebody Play The Blues For Me*, Dippin' In*, World Of Trouble*, One More Thing.
All songs followed by an asterisk have charted at the #1 position on Worldwide Blues Radio !
All Songs Written By and Copyright Ron M. Parizek, Meat and Potatoes Music, BMI
with the exception of:
"Not In The Mood"- Written By and Copyright Harry Binford, BMI
and "No Escape from the Blues" by M. Morganfield
"Unchain My Heart" from Ray Charles
"Have a Little Faith" by John Hiatt
"I Like It Like That" by Chris Kenner
Midnight Special Blues Radio TOP 10 of the Year 2006
We are proud to announce the best artists and best songs of this year as rated by the listeners of Midnight Special Blues Radio channel at Live365.com (based on our Daily Charts from 1 December 2005 through 30 November 2006).
MIDNIGHT SPECIAL BLUES RADIO'S ARTIST OF THE YEAR FOR 2006 !!!
Blue Plate Special - 43,61%
TOP 10 SONGS OF THE YEAR 2006 :
The Phone Call (Blue Plate Special) - 9,60%
Yer' Bad Behind (Blue Plate Special) - 8,93%
Workin' On Love (Blue Plate Special) - 7,41%
Tell The Truth (Blue Plate Special) - 7,18%
Hard Enuff (Blue Plate Special) - 6,22%
Luck Runs Out (Blue Plate Special) - 4,27%
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"BEST U.S. BLUES/ROCK C.D. OF The Year"
Can You Dig It !/ Blue Plate Special
--"Real Blues" Magazine/ Andy Grigg- Editor/Publisher 2007
"Rocket In Your Pocket" reached the #1 position on Terry Iredale's National Rock and Blues Show on Australian Satellite Radio!!!! 04/17/07
NEW ALBUM "CAN YOU DIG IT !" PLACED AT #17 IN TOP 100 BLUES CD'S EVER ! --/BY REAL BLUES Magazine !! FEB./2008
Blue Plate Special was featured in the Premier Issue of Alternative World Fanzine /April/07 Issue. Two Page Interview with Blue Plate Special by Peter Quinones/ Editor. Go To Link: www.blueplatespecialband.com (title page link) We are on Pages 23 and 24 !!!!! This Magazine is also available in hardcopy on East and West coasts of USA.
"Can You Dig It" Placed in "The Top Ten Albums of 2007" by the Oklahoma Gazette /C.G. Niebank
Blue Plate Special would like to thank the following Radio Stations, On-Air Hosts and Shows for getting behind our music and spreading the word to the hearts and ears of Music Fans everywhere!
Syndicated AM and FM Radio Broadcasts:
"Rewind Show"..the Hits you grew up with... w/ Jimmy Jay
1Hr. Radio show heard round the world.
WORLDWIDE INTERNET (Live 365, Real, and others)
Midnight Special Blues Radio w/ Paul Bondarovski - Paris, France- Live 365--
ElectricBlues Radio 56 & 16 w/ Herm- Fla. USA- Live 365--
Blue Icewater Radio w/DJ Smilster- NH, USA- Live 365--
Bluebird Radio w/Tom Edwards- London, UK- Live 365--
Bandit Blues Radio-USA--
Midnight Blues- Utah, USA--
Tex-Mex Oldies Radio w/Carlos- Tx, USA--
Triad Radio Revisited w/Saul- Chicago,USA--
Rootstime Radio- Belgium--
Back Alley Blues Show- RadioAmerica-ITunes, w/ Richard Mulcahey--
Taproot Radio- Chapel Hill, NC. w/ Calvin Powers
N.A.R. Radio- Pleasant Grove, Utah.
Hound Dog Radio- Stone Mountain, GA.
Helsinki's Blues Cafe- Finland- w/ Geoff Barton
Rewind Show- Live 365- w/ Jimmy Jay
FM and AM Radio Stations
MIDWEST- USA
WBEZ 91.5fm- Chicago,IL. w/Sara Toulouse and Niles Franz--
WLUP 97.9fm- Chicago,IL." the Loop"w/ Erin Carmen--
WUIC Radio- Chicago,IL. w/ John Rose--
WDCB 90.9fm- Glen Ellyn, IL. w/Blues Edition- Greg Freerickson and Hambone's Blues Show--
WGVE 88.7fm- Gary, Ind.- The Blues You Can Use- w/ Clarence Stevens, KoKo Taylor and John Bowles-
WXRT 93.1fm- Chicago,IL. w/Tom Marker--
WNUR 89.3fm- Evanston, IL.
WRTB 95.3fm- bobfm-Rockford, IL. "Sunday Morning Blues" w/Rich Gordon
WGLT 89.1 fm- Normal, IL- GLT Blues w/Jon Norton
WGLT 103.5 fm- Peoria, IL.-w/ Jon Norton
WWSP 90fm- Stevens Point,Wi.- w/ Blues Cafe w/Pappa Joe
WXPR 91.7fm- Rhinelander, Wi.
WXPW 91.9fm- WauSau, Wi.
WOJB 88.9fm- Hayward, Wi.
WHFR 89.3fm- Dearborn, Mi. w/ Go with the Flow and Hwy. 61
WLNZ 89.7fm- Lansing, Mi.- w/Blues Beat
WYCE 88.1fm- Grand Rapids, Mi.
KJLU 88.9fm- Jefferson City,MO.--
WVLP 98.3fm-Michigan City, Ind. w/The Blues Drive w/Bill Paige
WVPE 88.1fm- Elkhart, Ind. Blues Revue w/ Ol'Harv
WRSW 107.3fm- Warsaw,Ind.- The Blues Cafe w/Pat Gervais--
WTTS 92.3fm- Indianapolis, Ind.
WWOZ 90.7fm- New Orleans,LA.- w/ BIG D's Radio Program--
EAST- USA
WRCT 88.3fm- Pittsburgh, PA.--
WNTI 91.9 fm- New Jersey, Rock-It Science Blues w/Greg--
WNJC 1360am- Philadelphia,PA.--
WBGO 88.3fm- Newark, NJ. w/ Michael Bourne
WFDU 89.1fm- Teaneck, NJ. w/ Bob Putignano's "Sounds of Blue"
WFUV 90.7 fm- Bronx, NY- Fordham University
WEST- USA
KLBC - Long Beach, Ca. /Pat Graham's Blues Highway
KUNV 91.1fm- Las Vegas, NV. w/Nothin' But The Blues w/Brian (the Blues Dr.) Spencer--
KRVM 91.9fm- Eugene,OR. Breakfast with the Blues w/ Coffee Jack--
KEXP 90.3fm- Seattle,WA.
CANADA-
CKRLfm- Quebec, w/Michel Dobois--
CKOD 103fm- Montreal, w/Benoit on "Passion Blues"
PODCASTS-
Murphy's Saloon- Edmond,OK. w/ Murph
Taproot Radio- Chapel Hill, NC. w/ Calvin Powers
AUSTRALIA and New Zealand-
RTR 92.1fm-Perth, WA.-Spoonful of Blues w/Stephen
101 FM- Queensland- Railway Blues w/Steve Morgan
101 FM- Queensland- Honky Tonk Blues w/ Henry Prokop
2MBS FM- NSW- w/Austin Harrison
2RDJ 88.1fm- NSW-
2RRR 88.5 fm- NSW- w/Mark Ryding
3 Way FM 103.7fm- Victoria- w/ Garry Dalton
5BBB 89.1fm- S. Australia- w/ Tess Coleman
Twin Cities 89.7fm- WA- w/ Derek Cromb
Bay FM 99.9fm- NSW- w/the Honeydripper
HOT FM 106fm- Victoria- w/ Tecka's Tracks
Rod Niemeier Show- FM
Spirit FM 92.3fm- NSW- w/ Wendy Rudin
The Sound Lounge w/ Fast Eddie
The Studio FM 107.4fm- New Zealand- w/Mike Butler
EUROPE-
Phoenix 98fm- Essex, UK. w/ Digital Blues
EVW 95.6fm- Lingen, Germany w/Rockin'XXL w/Bernd
Baker Street Radio- France-on Radio Menergy w/ Xavier
Radio Mon Pais 90.1fm- "Tout Le Monde Aime de Blues" w/GG Bluz
Radio Canal Bleu FM- France w/Serge
Blue Plate Special interview in Chicago Music Guide magazine by Dennis Kelly. Interview can be viewed at www.chicagomusicguide.com
Thank you to all the Blues fans worldwide that voted Blue Plate Special up the charts !_________________________________________
Links
| http://www.bpsblues.com |