2006 Connecticut Blues Society - "Blues Challenge" finalists, The Johnny Boots Band, is a blues infused band with a vintage blues/rock sound including some killer B-3 playing. All presented with a fresh blend of lyrics and vocals.

12 MP3 Songs
BLUES: Electric Blues, BLUES: Rockin' Blues



Details:
2006 Connecticut Blues Society - "Blues Challenge" finalists, The Johnny Boots Band, is a blues infused band with a vintage blues/rock sound including some killer B-3 playing. All of this presented with a fresh blend of lyrics and vocals. While influenced by, as well as channeling, so many of the blues guitar greats of yesterday, Johnny adds his soul, feeling and imagination to create his unique sound today.

The band features guitar slinger/singer Johnny Boots. Johnny has played with internationally recognized blues greats like Buddy Guy, Johnny "Clyde" and daughter Shemekia Copeland, Shirley King (Yes, BB's daughter) among others.

Thom "Gilly" Gilbert on drums, Pete Bennett on bass and Tim "T-Bone" Stone on keyboards add up to a rock solid rhythm section, eager to explore the boundaries of where the groove can take you.

This CD also features Stacey Williams adding Vocals to "Hold On", "Save Me", "Fire" and "Anything for You" as well as Maria Nazzaro adding vocals to "Song for Johnny 'Clyde'".

Paul Opalach, co-producer of this CD and owner of Long Hill Recording Studios in Shelton CT adds piano on "Fire", lap steel guitar on "Oh Darling Pt. II" and some tambourine throughout.

"You know, we all choose different career paths and do different things with our lives but no matter what we do, we do it because... EVERYBODY'S GOT TO EAT. For me it meant putting this CD recording off for a long time. Here it is 'Everybody's got to eat'; I hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed recording it." - Johnny Boots

This CD hits you right between the eyes with the first track "I Told You So!". A song about two people trying to achieve their goals together and how life's journey is not always as clear cut as we all want it to be. The guitar solo establishes Johnny's unique voice as a guitar player. From there it's pedal to the metal for most of the tracks. "Hold On" is about reflecting on one's life, career and talents while not letting go when things seem to be getting away from you. The bands take on the Jimi Hendrix classic "Fire" is refreshing and really grooves. "Little Lady", written about Johnny's daughter Isabella, will put a smile on any mom or dad's face. Speaking of puting a smile on mom's face, "Still in Love with You" is a song Johnny wrote for his wife Patti. This song, with a Jimmie Vaughan meets Robert Cray vibe, delivers a one two punch of guitar solos. "Anything for You" is a duet with Stacey Williams which chronicles Johnny's journey with Christianity. Stacey's vocals and harmonies are a beautiful addition to this song. It builds with some nice guitar work to a heavenly ending.

A highlight of the CD is the song Johnny began writing for the late Johnny "Clyde" Copeland after "Clyde's" heart transplant but before he passed away. "I played as a guest artist at the Cotton Club in NYC with Shemekia for Johnny's birthday. Seeing all the other heart transplant patients that Johnny had invited to be there really moved me. It inspired me to start writing the song. Johnny had such a big heart. He was very kind to me. After he passed away, I finished writing it." At long last the song has been recorded for all Johnny "Clyde" Copeland fans, friends and family to appreciate.

Live performances include everything from Johnny's original works to those as varied as Elmore James, Guitar Slim and Albert King to Jeff Beck and Jimi Hendrix.

What are people saying about Johnny Boots and The Johnny Boots Band?

"I have fallen in love with this CD...I think this CD is loaded with hits"
Beef Stew, Sunday Night Blues w/Beef Stew WCCC 106.9 Hartford - wccc.com

"How about this band? Put your hands together for the guitar player (Johnny)!"
Buddy Guy, Silvertone Recording Artist

"He (Johnny) sounds really good"
G.E. Smith, Guitarist, former Saturday Night Live bandleader

"You sound real good man"
The late Johnny "Clyde" Copeland
Verve Recording Artist

"Johnny you sound great!"
Murali Coryell
Czyz Recording Artist

"That is a really good song" ("Little Lady")
Jorma Kaukonen of The Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna
Columbia Recording Artist

"Johnny can really play!"
Shemekia Copeland,
Alligator Recording Artist