Rusty Wright Band Announces Upcoming Gigs, February 4-March 27

Feb 04, 2008 - Rusty Wright is an incendiary guitarist and from his first note the stage practically sizzles with high octane energy as he throws down a six-string gauntlet and challenges his band to ever greater heights as tasty guitar, sax, Hammond B3 and vocal riffs volley back and forth across the stage. BluesBunny.com, a Scottish blues webzine describes the RWB sound as “Kind of like Poppa Chubby without the urban aggression."

Fronting the band with Wright is his wife, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Laurie LaCross-Wright, a compelling singer with a vivid and expressive vocal style that stretches with ease from a breathy, crooned endearment into a two-octave slide that becomes a throaty affirmation of her ability to wail. The chemistry between Wright and his wife is both obvious and refreshing as they exchange playful banter onstage and share anecdotes about the songs and their lives with the audience.

Musically, they soar. Their passion for music and performing is evident as they take turns playing off each other. Laurie laughs with delight when Rusty plays a particularly inventive riff. His guitar work echoes the dynamics and emotion of her voice as she sings. He closes his eyes and loses himself in the music as he plays. She, in turn, looks directly out at the audience, smiling widely from the stage, as if to say You'd better believe this is every bit as fun as it looks!

THE LIVE SHOW
The RWB live show focuses on material from their critically acclaimed first CD Ain't No Good Life. In January, the band will also introduce new material from their upcoming second CD, slated for release in April 2008. The new disc will include two previously unreleased tunes penned by Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule.

RWB has dynamic 45, 60 and 90-minute concert sets that are ideal for keeping a diverse, multi-generational audience entertained. The crowd response says it all - more often than not Rusty and the band receive standing ovations during their performances, and they leave audiences on their feet clamoring for more.

Rusty Wright Blues also has a feel-good, energetic nightclub show that expands on the band's concert sets. In addition to their own brand of sizzling hybrid-blues and engaging onstage husband/wife banter, the band pulls out the big box of crayons to color their blues as they pay tribute to a wide spectrum of artists whose music has inspired them.

PERFORMANCE COMMENTS/REVIEWS

PIX THEATRE
January 2008
“They're probably some the best blues I've ever heard." ~ Craig Martin, director, Pix Theatre, Lapeer MI.

MARQUETTE BLUES FESTIVAL
September 2007
“There are many who may not have heard of this band before their performance, but I doubt any will forget them afterwards. They were the darlings of the festival on Sunday. If you get a chance to get out and see them, go! go! go!" ~ Cheryl Olson, music reviewer, WOAS FM radio personality, Porcupine Music Festival Talent Coordinator

I CHEWS THE BLUES FESTIVAL
August 2006
(RWB returned as the festival headliner in August 2007) “Not many bands can make me want to dance on tabletops one minute and make me cry the next!! Thank you for being a big part of our festival." ~ Marguerite King-Goodall, Festival Chair

KALAMAZOO BLUES FESTIVAL
July 2007
“When we book a band for a festival we want a full sound, great vocals, and somebody that can work the crowd. We got all of that and more with the Rusty Wright Band. That's why we keep bringing them back!" ~ Dennis Massingill, Kalamazoo Blues Festival

OWOSSO AMPHITHEATER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
July 2007
“I've been on the board for seven years and I think this was my favorite concert here at the Amphitheater - ever!" ~ Roger Squires, board member, Owosso Area Amphitheater Association

LOWELL SIZZLIN' SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
July 2007
“I don't recall an act ever getting a standing ovation before at one of our concerts." ~ Gordon Gould

23rd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE Memphis TN
February, 2007
“They may not have won the contest, but they did win critical acclaim from the likes of Bill Wax from XM Radio, Legendary Blues Manager and photographer Dick Waterman, and Alligator Records Czar, Bruce Iglaur. Rumor has it that Rusty and the gang will be on the festival circuit next year and that a trip to the Virgin Islands' St. Johns Blues Festival is in the offing." ~ Steve Allen, Detroit Blues Society President

KALAMAZOO BLUES FESTIVAL
July 2005
“I saw you play today. Your time is about to start." ~ WC Clark, “Godfather" of Austin Blues

LYNYRD SKYNYRD CONCERT June 2004
“Dude, where did you come from? That was great." ~ Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd

“Great guitar playing. You guys sound great." ~ Johnny Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd

Rusty and Laurie Wright (RWB) Upcoming Gigs.

6-10 p.m. Fri/Sat February 8 & 9, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Lefty's Steakhouse
1865 E M-21 Owosso, MI 48867
Telephone:(989) 725-9998

6-10 p.m. Thursday February 14, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Lefty's Steakhouse
1865 E M-21 Owosso, MI 48867
Telephone:(989) 725-9998

9-midnight Fri/Sat February 15-16, 2008
Rusty and Laurie (duo show)
Chip's Place
715 South Chipman St. Owosso, MI 48867

8p.m. - midnight Thursday, February 21, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
All Around Bar
25621 Ecorse Rd
Taylor MI 48180
Telephone:(313) 292-6838

6-10 p.m. Friday, Febuary 22, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
Telephone: 810-600-1545

7 p.m. Saturday February 23, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
Alpena Blues Coalition 2008 Winter Warm-up Fundraiser
Alpena County Fairgrounds Merchants Building
625 S. 11th
Alpena, MI 49707

6-10 p.m. Friday March 7, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
1519 W. Bristol Rd Flint

9-midnight Friday March 14, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
CJs Sandbar
12 S Broadway
Lake Orion, MI 48362
Telephone: 248-693-8704

6-10 p.m. Saturday March 22, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
1519 W. Bristol Rd
Flint MI 48507
Telephone: 810-600-1545

8p.m. - midnight Thursday, March 27, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
All Around Bar
25621 Ecorse Rd
Taylor MI 48180
Telephone: (313) 292-6838