Reverend Raven & The Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy on harmonica
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A favorite far and wide for two decades, Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin’ Altar Boys featuring Westside Andy Linderman play traditional blues, straight up with a big dose of passion. Smoking grooves, hot harmonica and smooth, stinging guitar pepper their original songs with nods to Slim Harpo, Little Walter, Jimmy Rogers, Billy Boy Arnold, Junior Wells and the three Kings.
Raised on Chicago’s south side, the Reverend has played the blues since 1971 when he saw Freddy King perform. After 15 years of Navy service, Chief Raven moved to Milwaukee in 1994 and began collaborating with Madison Slim, longtime harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers.
Harpist Westside Andy Linderman joined in 2014 after fronting his own Grammy-nominated band for 18 years. Rev and Andy have opened for B.B. King, Elvin Bishop, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Pinetop Perkins, Junior Wells and many others.
Among The Boys are P. T. Pedersen (bass), who toured and recorded with Charlie Musselwhite in the 1960s-1970s and played with John Brim, Big Walter Horton, Johnny Young, Luther Tucker and others. Drummer Craig Panosh toured with Bernard Allison and Bryan Lee before rejoining Rev Raven in 2016.
The band won the Wisconsin Music Industry Award (WAMI) for Best Blues Band in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008, 2010 and 2015. Their live CD, "Live at the Big Bull," won two awards for "Best Live CD of the Year" from Blues Blast Magazine and the Independent Blues Magazine. Notably, they also received a 2007 Grammy nomination for “Best Blues Compilation CD.” In addition, Blues Blast nominated them for Band of the Year in 2018.
Their anniversary CD, My Life, celebrates their 20 illustrious years as a working road band—and it hit #1 on the Roots Radio Music Chicago Blues Chart. Praised by Buddy Guy, Hugh Laurie and legions of fans, you’ll want to catch these boys in action!
This event is included with all admission tickets.
Persons wishing to attend only this event will be allowed access to the park after 9pm.
$5 cover charge per person collected at the main gate.
Must be 18+ to enter after 9pm. Photo ID required.