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Press
On June 11 at the Alturas I had the pleasure to see the Wingnut Adams Band, with Kevin "Wingnut" Adams on drums, harmonica, and vocals.
I got to the Alturas and met Wingnut with whom I had corresponded about about doing an interview the following evening. After a brief conversation, Wingnut said he was anxious to get started. He headed to the stage before starting time and kicked off one of the most outrageous sets of music I have ever heard. Three and a half hours later they'd completed their first set!
They played most of the tunes from their first CD, The Blues Ain't Always Pretty, which contains ten songs, nine of which were penned by the band. They also played several tunes which will be on their second CD, due out soon.
Have you ever heard of a drum player who plays his way out from behind the drums by beating on the micstand, the speakers, the floor and his shoes? Have you ever heard of a guitar player who takes the place of the drummer while the drummer is out in the audience playing harmonica? Have you ever heard of a drummer who plays the drums, harmonica, and sings all at the same time?
Well, Wingnut Adams does all of these things, and much more. Several of his tunes stretch for 15 or 20 minutes and some go beyond a half hour. Dancers at my table were commenting on how they had gotten their aerobic exercise for the day.
Heck, I got mine just watching Wingnut sweat!
The music is great and you can get some idea about this artist by listening to the CD, but his showmanship is the real treat and Wingnut is going to go places because of that. If he comes back to this area, or your area if you're not in Reno, make a point to catch him!
Roger Slugg "The Blues Pharmacist" your host of "Take Names Later Blues" on KUNR-FM. - Reno Blues Society
Thank you so much for opening our Tommy Castro Show in Quincy! We are still getting comments from folks about you! We will have you back for certain!
....Roxanne, Director Pluma County Arts Council, Quincy, CA.
Thank you for making our annual Sturgis Kick-Off Party such a success! You can count on us doing plenty together in the future!
....Arlen Ness Cycles, Dublin, CA
We have had nothing but positive response to your performances here during Street Vibrations! Local radio is playing your CD on a regular basis...We can't wait to have you back!
....Steve, Owner Alturas Nightclub, Reno
The band was amazing! We have had such positive feedback regarding your opening set during the Canned Heat Concert! Going out into the crowd with your remote equipment really stunned the crowd! We will be talking to you soon!
....Jessie's Grove Winery, Lodi, CA
"a huge thank you to all that attended the Sierra Blues Society Christmas Blues Show Dec 19th. A fabulous show....The Wingnut Adams Blues Band absolutely ripped the roof off of Constable Jack's"
....Thom Meyers, Host of the "Blues Spectrum" KVMR-FM, Nevada City, CA
- Various Customers
Discography
The Blues Ain't Always Pretty - 2003
Tub Thumpin' - 2005
Rhythm Clique - 2006
Vintage Nut - 2007
Will Work For Groove-2011
Photos
Bio
Named Band Leader of the Year by The West Coast Blues Hall of Fame for 2008...Wingnut Adams has spent decades living the music that he performs nightly...
Wingnut pays homage to the roots of the Blues, while injecting his own life experiences into a funky musical stew that captures hearts and souls everywhere!
Wingnut began his musical journey as a percussionist for well respected artists including Archie Lee Hooker and Ron Thompson.
He went out on his own in 2002 to begin work on the first of five CD projects to date. From day one fans everywhere soon realized that Wingnut had a love for a strong danceable groove, as well as a desire to interact with the fans to a very high degree.
Wingnut's goals were straight forward… #1- Keep it simple… with a groove. #2- Take it to the people. #3- Give 'em everything you’ve got.
The formula worked… averaging over 200 dates annually year after year, Wingnut Adams delivers great roots music to the people. From small smoky dives to large festivals this blues man delivers the goods…
Wingnut sets the bar high… there is no middle ground. Sweat and soul, every time…all the time! As a direct result of his live shows Wingnut has sold over 40,000 CDs without industry support!
One of Northern California’s most booked festival acts, Wingnut has left his mark on stages such as Monterey Blues Festival, California H.O.G. Rally, Arlen Ness Cycles, Black Oak Casino, Jackson Rancheria, Hayward/Russell City Blues Festival, Alturas Nightclub...(during Street Vibrations), Hollister Rally, Stockton Blues Festival, Modesto Blues Festival.
Booneville Brewfest, Lodi Grape Festival, Montevina Winery, St. George Hotel Wine Room, Avio Winery, Jessie's Grove Winery, Plumas Blues Festival, Stockton Waterfest, Amador County Fair, Gold Country Fair, and the Alameda County Fair just to name just a few…
Wingnut is a regular at major blues clubs including Rum Boogie Cafe, Memphis...Biscuits and Blues, San Francisco…Lou’s Pier 47, San Francisco… JJ’s Blues, San Jose… The Torch Club, Sacramento, The Caspar Inn, Mendocino coast... The Crystal Bay Club, Lake Tahoe... Squaw Valley Resort, Lake Tahoe...as well as a long list of hoppin’ clubs from Bakersfield to Baja Sur, Mexico and beyond!
What the people are saying…
"The people just love your band! We want you for our big mother's Day event in 2011!"
-Stefano, Avio Winery...Sutter Creek, Ca.
"We love the Wingnut Adams Band...Nobody in the business works as hard as they do during a show!"
~Mikki, Lodi Grape Festival...Lodi, Ca.
"You guys did a fantastic job for us! We will have you back for sure!"
~Frank Giovonni, 2009 Delta Blues Festival...Antioch, Ca.
"We see artists from all over the world here... You are the first that has caused my entire staff to stop work and pay attention to a show!"
~GM. Rum Boogie Cafe, Beale Street, Memphis
“ Wingnut Adams absolutely ripped the roof off of Constable Jack’s Club during our December show! “
~Thom Meyers, Host of Blues Spectrum, KVMR-FM
“ I had the pleasure of seeing Wingnut Adams in Reno recently. He hit the stage early and kicked off the most outraegous set of music that I have ever heard… Three and a half hours later he had completed his first set! You must catch this act!”
~Roger Slugg, Host… KUNR-FM
"You are awesome! The people love your show...I will use you on every show that I can!
~Ronnie Stewart, Bay Area Blues Society
“I reviewed your CD project recently… Your music has much potential! Keep your style simple. When you play that way it is very powerful…”
~Bruce Iglauer, Alligator Records
“Slinky grooves, mixing R&B, Rock, and Blues into a thick stew of boogie with dumplings of solos that could keep me going for a week!”
~David Cowling, AmericanaUK
Wingnut has completed his first compilation CD project. Working with famed mastering engineer Paul Stubblebine…credits include: Taj Mahal, Tower of Power, Tommy Castro, Roy Rogers
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