The Capone Mob

BEST OF THE BLUES HONORS 2011

Best of the Blues 2011
Backroads Blues Magazine-West Coast Artists Dominate the Honors 2011

Mikey Capone from Los Angeles receives
3 Top Honors from Backroads Blues

Mikey Capone Best New Blues Artist, Best Blues Rock Guitarist
and Best Song "White Lightnin". Read on and find out why this Los Angeles Blues Guitarist is gaining worldwide attention.




By Steve Rosenberg

With a name like Mikey Capone it would seem obvious who the title to the Most Dangerous Guitar player on the West coast should go to. The more you learn about this mysterious figure, it may in actuality be more of a reality than you imagine…

First of all, rumors abound with such mystique that made Robert Johnson a legend. Just one glance of his song titles and your mind will definitely wonder into worlds unknown to us mortals…for example… “Criminal Mind” implies revenge and has a nice melody, “Upon the Crossroads” tells of a deal with the devil with a kinda Led Zeppelin feel, “Drifter” is a soulful "James Brown" vibe tune of a Bluesman on the road. “White Lightnin” is a kind of Alvin Lee meets Commander Cody/Charlie Daniels meets George Thorogood vibe about the dangers of drinking “Moonshine”, “Drinkin Fightin Man” has a muddy waters type groove and "Get High” are just a few song titles that fuel those rumors.


"Mikey Capone is a monster blues rock guitar player and legend in the making who plays blues with passion, intensity and sincerity rarely seen since the seventies and definitely could be one of the most important Blues Guitarists of this decade".


The fact that he adamantly refuses to discuss his family or his name fuels the legend even more and makes him even more mysterious. Again who cares? It’s about the music.

His Bad Boy image combined with his melodic and diverse writing style and powerful fiery guitars works magic. Acquaintances, friends and bystanders say he is a sweetheat and like being around him.

The first time I met Mikey was August 14 2009 in the lobby of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel in San Francisco. It was Mikey's birthday. I had a special birthday gift for Mikey and I was excited all week prior. I had something special that I held in my possession for nearly four decades. It was the guitar strap that Jimi Hendrix used during a infamous performance. Of course he loved it. Who wouldn't?


When you meet him in person he has a very larger than life presence. He has a great Billy Bob Thornton kinda smile and if you met him on the street he would seem reserved if not quiet and shy, polite, gentlemen-like, mysterious yet tough, protective and very confident and positive and has a great sense of humor.


After a drink we took a cab to Nob Hill Cafe and had a fantastic Italian lunch with some good wine. I don't drink much but I had a glass.


After getting back to the hotel Mikey took a nap to rest and re-string his guitar and prepare for a show that evening. That evening Mikey was the special guest of the Larry McCray band who was performing at the famous Biscuits and Blues Club in San Francisco. When you see him perform on-stage, it removes any doubt about his calling. On stage the most profound change takes place. His confidence while holding his guitar is, well, when you see him you know he knows what he is doing and he is born for the stage. He can keep up with anyone alive today. Many times he will be the only white guy onstage… a big honor.


"If I could only use one word to describe Mikey Capone as a guitar player it would be, WOW! That cat plays the F%$^ out of that guitar. Like a lightning bolt hit him. Not only was his guitar plugged in but HE was plugged in. My jaw dropped watching this guy play and he is about as tasty as you can get...


... In 45 years I have seen a lot of great guitar players and I tell you I was totally blown away. The blues just got a needed shot in the arm with Mikey Capone and will soon be a major Festival act and draw"


His sound is delicate yet intense. He plucks the strings and makes that six string sing like a lonely child and he can make it scream like the devil with powerful chord changes and notes that sting. If I could only use one word to describe Mikey Capone it would be, Wow. He is a smoking player. That cat plays the F%$^ out of that guitar. Like a lightning bolt struck him. Not only was his guitar pluggen in but he was pluggen in. My jaw dropped watching this guy play and he is about as tasty as you can get.


In 45 years I have seen a lot of great guitar players and I tell you I was totally blown away. The Blues just got a needed shot in the arm with Mikey Capone and will soon be a major Festival act and draw. Can’t help but say out loud that he is a star.


His influences are many and he absorbs cultures while traveling to exotic places like Africa especially Morocco, Europe especially Italy and Spain, Mexico, Jamaica, the Caribbean, Bermuda, and French Polynesia and incorporates these and many other life’s experiences into his style.


The guitar players he likes are too many to mention but just a handful are Albert Collins, Albert King, BB King, Freddie King, Jimi Hendrix, Albert Lee, Rick Derringer, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Wes Montgomery, and Robin Trower. He combines Delta Blues and Contemporary Blues with Soul, Funk, Jazz, Rock and Country with great skill and his style is his own..


Mikey has performed, recorded or jammed with many Legendary players such as Lurrie Belle, Leon Blue, Tail Dragger, Hubert Sumlin, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Michael Burks, Sugar Blue, Don Kinsey, Kenny Neal, Chico Banks, Chris Thomas King, Earl Thomas, Shemekia Copeland Band, Larry McCray, Lance Ellis, Lee Oskar, Trampled Under Foot, Tab Benoit, Ana Popovic, Coco Montoya, Samantha Fish, JP Soars, Jason Ricci, Eden Brent, Curtis Salgado, Tommy Castro, Bobby Murray, Shayne Dwight, Paddy Milner just to name a few.


Currently Mikey is in Production to release his debut album entitled "Upon The Crossroads" (to be released in the fall 2011) and is carefully considering management and label opportunities. Blues fans…expect a smokin album to be released. You are going to WANT to add this CD to your blues collection.

SUMMARY:

After hearing so many good guitar players over the years, there is one who stands far taller than the rest and it is obvious that this person is a star. As one of my peers (John Albright) said...


..."Mikey Capone is a monster blues rock guitar player and legend in the making who plays blues with passion, intensity and sincerity rarely seen since the seventies and definitely could be one of the most important Blues Guitarists of this decade".


I agree and you will too!


Put him at the top of your list of Performers to see. Since he hasn’t toured in more than a decade, take advantage of any visits to your town. You’ll get your moneys worth and you just might be a witness to history in the making…you never know!-Steve Rosenberg, World Blues Society


To Purchase the Debut CD "Devil Have The Blues", T-Shirts go to www.thecaponemob.com or to Book Mikey Capone at your event contact Don Sullivan: leftcoastmanagement@yahoo.com

Backroads Blues very own Clayton Hamel sat down with Mikey Capone in September 2011- interview with Mikey Capone Coming Soon!





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