Brad Wilson

WORLDWIDE RADIO SUPPORT
ElectricBlues Radio Music Director: HERM
Florida's Best Blues Radio Show
THE NUMBER ONE SONG
in order of popularity as voted by listeners during the course of
November 2010.
#1
BRAD WILSON
"STANDIN' AROUND AND CRYIN'"
from the album
"LIGHTNING GUITAR BLUES LIVE"
CALI BEE MUSIC

Crossroad Blues Radio Show
THE NUMBER ONE SONG
BRAD WILSON-MUSTANG SALLY / Hard Working Bluesman CD

"Thank you so very much for being on board for
Operation: Music for the Military."
Blues DJ / Host for CROSSROAD BLUES MIKE ABEE

"BLUES DELUXE RADIO SHOW"
Music Director David Fusco Total Audience: 2,104,720
THE NUMBER SIX SONG
on the playlist for December 2010
"BLUES DELUXE RADIO SHOW"
#6
BRAD WILSON
"BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN"
from the album
"LIVE - POWER BLUES GUITAR"
CALI BEE MUSIC

THANK YOU FOR ADDING MY RECORD AND YOUR SUPPORT!

NETHERLANDS RADIO
Brad was on the air for an interview with super
Blues DJ Bertwin Bijleveld
This is a cool blues show in the Netherlands, called
Blues and Friends AKA Baarn FM

LOS ANGELES KLOS
DJ CYNTHIA FOX

“a happening band BRAD WILSON ...his new CD is called HARD WORKIN BLUESMAN....and he tours a lot...his song "House of Love" was featured on Regis and Kelly...Brad was also on the cover of the March 2010 issue of SOUTHLAND BLUES...great great fun band....”

ElectricBlues Radio 16
Playlist & Listener Voting Report
THE NUMBER ONE SONG
for the month of September
#1
in order of popularity as voted by listeners during the course of the month.
Brad Wilson - Power Blues Guitar -
I Can't Quit You Babe

WDVR Radio Playlist
Jeffrey Apoian
Blues Director

"I will be playing more of your music as you were
a great discovery for me.
I love supporting the Blues and
especially people that are every bit as good
as a lot of national acts."

Billy W. Floyd-Bluesman

“I've had a really great response to
Ballad Of John Lee on my show
"Ain't Nuttin But The Blues". This seems to be my audience's favorite. I'm honored to be a part of your success Bro.”

BIKER STREET RADIO SHOW
RADIO VASSIVIERE AND RADIO COTEAUX
Music Director: Cesar
Playing "BRAD WILSON / "BORN UNDER A BAD SIGN"
FROM THE NEW ALBUM Hard Working Bluesman

HotMix106.com
Thanks to Cory Marcus for having
Hard Working Bluesman
in rotation on the show!

Basically the Blues (Music) with Papa John 11/18/2010 10:00PM to 12:00AM
KZFR Chico 90.1 FM
kzfr.org
California

THANK YOU PAPA JOHN FOR YOUR SUPPORT ON YOUR SHOW!

Brad Wilson's Music is Heard On The Radio In
Over 30 Countries & Over 45 States - All Around The World

I give this CD, my highest rating, Five *****
Excellent CD... Thoroughly enjoyed it... Highly Recommended...

Brad Wilson has been in the business of the Blues, Country Blues, and Blues Rock for quite a while now and perhaps more than anyone else, he has shown nothing but an undying dedication, commitment, and love of those genres. This dedication, commitment, and love are what you will find first and foremost in Brad Wilson's album, "Blues Alive".

"Blues Alive" consists of 11 Tracks, all recorded live in Los Angeles at the world famous Blues Club Cozy's, of which 7 are covers. This of course can make or break an Artist, but it doesn't seem to faze Brad whom burns through them with an intensity and expertise that shows he has learned his craft well with 30+ years of musicianship under his belt.

From I'm Tore Down to Born Under A Bad Sign, and from Pride And Joy to Sweet Home Chicago, Brad doesn't miss a beat doing nothing less then paying homage to the greats that originally wrote the songs and doing so in a fashion that would make them proud.

4 of the tracks on "Blues Alive" are written by Brad and are titled Last Call, I'm Still Breathin', Somethin' Goin' On and All Kinds of a Fool. These four tracks comprise a good mix of Soulful Blues, (Last Call and I'm Still Breathin') and straight ahead Blues/Rock, (Somethin' Goin' On and All Kinds of a Fool), with my personal favorite being Somethin' Goin' On. All these four tracks show off another side of Brad and that is his ability to not only play a mean guitar, but to also write solid and very catchy songs.

Behind every great Artist there is of course the rest of the amazing musicians that bring it all together. This album is absolutely no different in that regard and include the following:

Keys - Kirk Nelson, Sax - Joe Robb, Bass - Oscar Huguet, and Drums - Thaxter Daggs

I have always loved live albums, ever since first hearing Frampton Come Alive!, and I especially love those that make you feel that you are sitting right there in the audience, with everyone else, Brad Wilson's "Blues Alive" gives you exactly that feeling.

Whether this is your first introduction to Brad Wilson or if you have been following him for years, "Blues Alive" is must have CD and a testament to what happens when you truly believe in and love what you doing.

Review by John Vermilyea (Blues Underground Network) - Underground Blues Network

ElectricBlues Radio Music Director: HERM
Florida's Best Blues Radio Show

THE NUMBER ONE SONG -
in order of popularity as voted by listeners during the course of November 2010.

#1
BRAD WILSON – STANDIN' AROUND AND CRYIN'

FROM THE BRAD WILSON ALBUM
LIGHTNING GUITAR BLUES LIVE
CALI BEE MUSIC - Electric Blues Radio

In these tough economic times when small blues clubs are closing and most musicians are scraping by, bluesman Brad Wilson is hanging tough. Playing 150 live shows a year and with his 16th album set to record in March, the songwriter/guitarist is optimistic about the future. Noting Derek Trucks' recent Grammy for Contemporary Blues Album and Bonnie Raitt's nomination into the Blues Hall of Fame, Brad says, "This opens up the blues to a lot of people who may not be familiar with it and allows a songwriter like myself to reach a much larger audience."
The prolific songwriter from Central CA is probably best known for his session guitar and scoring work on director John Carpenter's 1998 cult film "Vampires," which won a Saturn Award for its soundtrack. Brad also played on the 2001 sequel, "Ghosts of Mars," while his music was used on the popular NBC daytime TV show, "Soap Opera Passions." And while he was financially successful as a session guitarist, he wanted to take his music to a new level to reach audiences face to face.
So after recording his first solo album, produced by the famous Robb brothers of Cherokee Studios in Hollywood, Brad formed a band and took to the road playing the blues circuits around the country. In the south, he shared billing with local blues artists Walter Trout and Coco Montoya. His style then incorporated a combination of influences of West Coast Blues influences from the Oakland factory and shipyard workers with role models: B.B. King, Buddy Guy, James Cotton and John Lee Hooker, whom he heard as a young man attending shows at Bill Graham's Fillmore West.
In the course of playing the Southern circuit, a profound change took place in Brad's sound. He describes it in this way, "I could feel the pull of America's roots music and just playing in those clubs changed the way I performed and felt the blues. Instead of being a Hollywood session guitarist playing the blues, I began to develop a new sound that was more authentic."
Returning to Hollywood after some time on the road, Brad stopped in to Performance Guitars where he had the opportunity to meet with its owners. Master guitar builders Yasu and Kuni showed him a Fender Stratocaster that they had built from spare parts as a loaner guitar. When he began playing the guitar, he was astounded by the tone it emitted, quite unlike his Gibson Les Paul. "It reminded me of the blues tone and blues sounds that I had grown up listening to. That guitar changed everything by helping me recreate them. Now the tone was there and I knew I could [put on a better show] by giving that to the audience." And with that, he convinced them to sell him his guitar which is now his 'main guitar' and the one he uses for all his live shows.
Over the last seven years, Brad has worked consistently bringing the blues to audiences all over the western states. Joining Brad, who is the front man and guitarist, are band members Brian Beal on bass, drummer Adam Gust of "The Red Elvises," Kirk Nelson on keyboards, "Tumbleweed" on blues harp, and Scott Bolsta on sax. The band plays festivals, motorcycle rallies, clubs and casinos every week plus special events like Laughlin's "Blues and Brews" Festival, April 2 - 4, 2010 and Laughlin's "River Run" April 21 - 24, 2010.
Last year, Brad released his 15th album, Blues Alive, which has garnered positive reviews from critics and fans. His previous CD, Power Blues Guitar yielded the single, "I Can't Quit You Babe," which was voted by listeners of "The Electric Blues Radio Show" their #1 pick for September 2009.
Presently, DMX Music is featuring three of his songs on their 'Rock and Blues' channel, which reaches an estimated 80 million listeners worldwide. As any working musician will tell you, it's not just 'luck' that accounts for an artist's success: It's an ongoing combination of consistent performances, a good attitude, making the right connections, and staying close to your fan base. And yet, Brad Wilson attributes it to being 'lucky enough' to have gotten so many breaks in his career. Luck's got nothing to do with it.
Yes, he had help along the way: Being hired as lead guitarist for blues singer Kathi McDonald, known for her scintillating background vocals on the Rolling Stones' Exile on Main Street clearly didn't hurt. By touring with her, Brad got to learn how hard it can be to make a living as a blues artist but he also got to play at the best blues clubs and festivals throughout the Western U.S. when he was just out of high school.
Recalling the high points in his career, Brad views his TV and film work as financially rewarding. But the real high for him is in playing live shows where he can connect with his audiences in the cities and rural towns across California, and in staying in touch with those whom he meets. That's the most rewarding part for him. "The memories of my live shows stay with me all the time," says Brad. "I hope to be able to play music right up to the last day of my life. That would be a dream come true!" - Southland Blues Magazine

Blues singer/guitarist Brad Wilson has traveled the far and wide of California.

After living in San Francisco and West Hollywood, Wilson has settled on a new home: Visalia.

He moved there in June and is using the South Valley city as the hub for his weekly touring, which takes him to all points of California. Last weekend it was Gilroy's Garlic Festival. Next weekend, he'll be at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. The week after that, he'll be in Anaheim.

Tonight, though, he's staying somewhat close to home and playing at 9 p.m. at Crossroads, 3315 N. Cedar Ave. in Fresno. Tickets cost $8.

We talked to Wilson to get the scoop on his music and his move.

What's the story behind your recent move to Visalia? I've traveled the whole state of California and found it to be one of the best cities. It has all the amenities of a big city, but it has the charm of a small town. It's a great central hub for touring the whole state.

Before that, though, you often played around the Fresno area. What's attracted you to this area?

As an artist, first and foremost, there's a lot of work here for me. There's a healthy music scene. There are a lot of places for me to play -- the casinos, the bars, the festivals. There's just a lot of music in the Central Valley.

What's your career philosophy? You seem like quite the road warrior. I do over a 150 shows a year. We travel every single week. I try to connect with people at the shows. Usually at the shows, we have a great time.

Since you're on the road so much, I have to ask about gas prices ... It definitely cuts into the profits, but like everyone in the United States, you just move forward.

You probably see a lot of cool stuff around the state -- is there a hidden gem of California that you've fallen in love with? I hate to toot a horn too much about Visalia, but the quality of life is great here. There's a historical downtown that's vibrant. I love all the Valley oaks. It's green and beautiful here.

What's the best part of your live show? Rippin' guitar and strong blues.

You've opened for a lot of people from Coco Montoya to Cheap Trick -- who's your favorite and why? I enjoyed opening for Cheap Trick. The group was super nice and gave us a lot of time on stage. They're just a really great band.

What can people expect from you in the future? I'm in the studio recording an album for release in Germany. I'm going to get it released in early '09. I hope to get it out over here at least at the shows.

-by Mike Osegueda - The Fresno Bee

'Brad Wilson' by Brad Wilson by Brian Holland

The music of Brad Wilson, who once headed the blues-rock band Stone (in honor of Pearl Jam’s Stone Gossard), has been featured in John Carpenter’s last two films and soundtracks. The NBC soap, Passions, has been using his music for years. He has steadily toured nationally, and has opened for numerous top names in the music business, including Tonic, Paula Cole, Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Derek Trucks, Walter Trout, and Coco Montoya. All Access Music Awards in Los Angeles voted him ‘Best Songwriter’ twice, and LA’s Rock City News Awards voted him ‘Best Blues Group/Artist’ three times. But enough with his credits, his new release says it all.

Brad Wilson’s self-titled CD is high powered and energetic guitar-fronted rock and roll. He refers to his blues-rock style as American music. Much of the lyrics are of his road travels and abundant U.S. tours. His playing styles and tones are similar to that of Gary Moore, Robin Trower, Rory Gallagher, Steve Marriott, Paul Kossoff, Warren Haynes, and well, I could go on and on naming the great influences I hear in Brad Wilson’s music. His playing is fluid, heavy, and bursting with flavor. His voice is as soulful as Warren Haynes and Edwin McCain. And though much of his music is reminiscent of other players, Brad’s a stylist all his own, too. It’s just that you can tell he has been paying attention to good music over the years; that fact flows out of each cut on the CD.

The opener, ‘Black Coffee At Sunrise’, has Brian Setzer-like riffs and Commander Cody-ish vocals. At first listen, those new to Brad Wilson might think it’s the CD's target, yet the second cut, ‘Sundown And The Cowboy’, belts with Rory Gallagher authority and Scott Gorham tone. ‘Rocket’ is a powerful, rocked up cut, beat laden with thunderous chords. ‘The Healer’ rocks in a Trower vein. ‘Southern Cali Girl’ is a love story in distinctive American rock and roll fashion. His voice is reminiscent of Bruce Springsteen on this one. ‘House Of Love’ is hard driving rock and roll. ‘Two Belong’ has a steady rhythmic flow. The guitar is crisp and clear, and the vocal is as soulful as James Dewar in the early Trower days.

In my opinion, Brad Wilson is too damn good to ignore. It’s riff laden, hard driving, and high-spirited American rock. The songs are consistent throughout. From the point of view of a longtime rock guitarist, one who loves the lead laden, soulful blues/rock of the 70s and 80s, the whole album is a breath of fresh air. Brad’s a guitarist to take into account. Check his CD out.

Brad recorded the CD using his Gibson guitars (though mainly a Les Paul player, he plays Strats as well) and Mesa Amps.
- Modern Guitars Magazine

Vintage Guitar article July 06

Take just one listen to Brad Wilson's new self-titled CD, and it quickly becomes clear he has been around long enough to absorb a host of influences, and that he has fun playing rock and roll. - In the old days he would probably have been called a "road warrior." And as with so many musicians, Wilson's musical road starts with - and goes back to - his family.

"My parents loved having music in the house," he said. "We lived in rural Nevada at the time, and from my earliest memories there would be western music like Marty Robbins and Johnny Cash, as well as big singers like Sinatra and Streisand. My mom played piano and organ.

"When my family moved to San Francisco, I was given a subscription to the Columbia House record club and I was off and running with the Rolling Stones, Beatles, and Byrds. I was lucky that my parents would take me on Saturdays to the local music store for guitar lessons. I'd be in my room practicing and listening for hours."

From there, he says it was a natural progression to getting together with buddies and forming a band. For him, it was the summer after eighth grade. Throughout high school, they played the usual joints. "We played at the recreation room at the park, the church pancake breakfast, and any local event that would let us perform. We were all best friends, hanging out and spending all of our free time together.

"My buddies from back then came to a gig I played recently in San Jose, and we were remembering the early days," he said. "They brought pictures of us playing a show we are about 14 years old!"

Wilson says geography also played a part in his musical upbringing. "Living in the Bay Area was the best, because Bill Graham ran the Fillmore and Winterland Concert Halls. There were also terrific shows at the Berkeley Community Center, and Bill Graham produced mega shows called Day On The Green concerts at the Oakland Coliseum. My friends and I would go see guitar players and their bands, like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Mike Bloomfield, Albert King, Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Chuck Berry, Jimmy Page, the Stones, The Who, Allman Brothers, Robin Trower, and all the San Francisco bands from Santana to The Dead. And all

of the amazing female singers I like Janis Joplin, Lydia Pence, Stoneground, Grace Stick, Kathi McDonald, and the Pointer Sisters. Every weekend, we would be in line to see these incredible musicians , then go back to the garage to play music and try and learn their songs.

"I still get inspired hearing the music from those artists, and want to pick up the guitar and play."

Wilson got his first big gig with Kathi McDonald, who released an album on Capitol and played all over the Bay area. Wilson says that in many ways it was a dream gig at the time. "I needed the money and I wasn't 21 yet, so getting in the clubs was a lot of fun. Kathi always had celebrities sitting in, so I met and jammed with a lot of talented musicians. San Francisco was red hot with guitar greats like Boz Scaggs, Neal Schon, Steve Miller, Carlos Santana, John Cippolina, Michael Bloomfield, Taj Mahal, and John Lee Hooker, just to name a few."

From there, he played with a band called Blind Date, which eventually signed with RCA.

That gig led to his band, Stone, spending the next three years on the road playing gigs with the likes of .38 Special, Cheap Trick, Paula Cole, Tonic, Derek Trucks and many others. But the notoriety Wilson has gained lately comes from the movies and TV. He eventually fronted Stone and their album was produced by the Robb Brothers, who introduced him to John Carpenter.

"I met John Carpenter while he was filming Vampires, which starred James Woods. He really liked a song I wrote called 'Teaser' for a specific scene in the movie where James Woods' character and his buddies are celebrating the destruction of a vampire nest. The film was released and went to number one.. John also made 'Teaser' the first song on the soundtrack. In fact, it's the only song with vocals on the entire record. The soundtrack went onto win a Saturn Award for Best Music, from the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films."

These days, Wilson gigs with his band about 150 days a year, His influences are wide and varied, but he cites Gregg Allman for vocals, Tom Petty, Bruce Springsteen, Don Henley, Cole Porter, Sammy Cahn, and the Gershwins for songwriting, and his guitar influences include Dominoes-era Eric Clapton, Hendrix, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and newcomers like John Mayer.

Equipment-wise, Wilson is a fan of Gibson Les Pauls and Mesa Engineering amplifiers. A listen to his record highlights his great tone, which he credits to Brian Daugherty at Total Access Studios, and his gear. "Daugherty's microphone selection and technique play a big part in the tone of the guitar on the record."

For guitars, I credit the Seymour Duncan pickups - JBs and'58 reissues in my two Les Pants, and a BC Rich Bich. And I'm a fan of Lexicon delays. The amps and cabinets on the album were all Mesa Engineering; a 50-watt Recto-Verb, 35watt Blue Angel, 45 -watt Nomad. Cabs were 4xl2", 2xl2", and a 1x12" closed back, and an open-back 1x12". Each of these amps uses different power tubes to noticeable effect; the 50 -watt with EL34s for classic Marshall high-gain tone, the Blue Angel has 6L6s for vintage Fender tone, and the EL84s in the Nomad, for a modern Mesa sound."

For 2006 and beyond, Wilson says he plans to stay busy, making another record and, of course, lots of road work.

- John Heidt - Vintage Guitar Magazine

Brad Wilson :: “Home”

By Susie Salva

Singer, songwriter, producer and blues-rock guitarist extraordinaire Brad Wilson does it all on his new studio effort, “Home”. Traditional Americana is his forte as he reveals on his CD about his travels across the country and especially California. Influenced by Gregg Allman, The Doobie Brothers, and the Marshall Tucker band, Wilson is one of the hardest working musicians across the land performing over 150 show in the past year.

Wilson has the most enjoyable whiskey, raspy vocal tracks on this flawlessly self-produced album, “Home”. Wilson was recognized and won “best songwriter” by All Access Magazine. He has performed as an opener for Paula Cole, Cheap Trick, .38 Special, Cinderella, Dokken and blues greats such as Coco Montoya and Lynwood Slim.
Wilson is inspired to craft his songs by simply seeing his guitar and then he begins to get his ideas flowing.

This new blues-rock CD is a collection of songs highlighting Wilson’s strong ability as a singer and songwriter of blues-rock music. He was just born to play this style of music.

The title track and first song on the disc “Home” has a comfortable feel to it with some fine guitar picking. No matter where he travels he feels at home here in Southern California. “Take the good with the bad, breathe deep/this is the land I know,” he contends.

Jazzy-blues “Cool Running” has the lyrics and music that takes you in and can conjure up the scene of the moonlight shining bright over the Los Angeles skyline. Wilson’s guitar playing is effortless.

Easy, breezy Jimmy Buffet-like track, “Show Me” explores the California coastline as a couple walks hand and hand together along the beach at ease with each other. This is another example of his Americana feel in his music.

“Something Goin On,” this tune has pop appeal with a Doobie Brothers vibe. This is another look at a relationship in transition. “I call you on the phone just to hear your voice,” describes Wilson on this excellent track with a nice guitar riff. Love is the most important thing to Wilson and it shows through on all of his music.

Straight ahead blues-rock “I’m Still Breathin,” deals the trials and tribulations of an ending relationship. Wilson’s guitar playing is highlighted on this track showcasing his truly amazing and stylized strumming.

“Across the Mojave,” is a beautiful instrumental tune. It is such a delight listening to this music. This song shows off Wilson’s guitar finesse.

The last track “The Ballad of John Lee,” is a tribute to John Lee Hooker. This song has the ZZ Top feel to it. Again, Wilson incorporates his own experiences on his travels to the South on this tune.

Brad Wilson is an amazing blues-rock guitarist with his very own distinctive style and tone. As noted in a previous review, Wilson has lovely whiskey, raspy vocals drawing his listeners into his personal accounts of his travels in all of his songs. His attack on the lead guitar is nothing but sheer excellence. Rockin’ the Blues/Ripping the Guitar is his motto. Check him out at www.bradwilsonlive.com - All Access Magazine