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E

   BROTHER E    &  the

BLUE RHYTHM KINGS

 

“The Southwest's Premier Soul Band”t- Nat. Public Radio  

DOWNLOADS

 Listen to songs by the Kings recorded live at the Santa Fe Plaza  Pavillion in the Square.  It was a cool night with hot dancing.

    20 Room House             Down Home Blues       Ain't No Sunshine     Lean On Me

                                             Soulshine               Nobody Luvs Me like my Baby

                                                              (just click on the song)

  Listen to songs from the studio for new CD coming out in June click on the song below- 

        Saving Up       Whole Lotta Love     Why People Like That   Bearcat Rock 

   

    

             YOUTUBE  SEE THE BAND PERFORM LIVE

                                     http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ugs84nhGBlk   AND  

                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY7CgKRFDqA  and

                                        http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WncTOcRnjcM   

UPCOMING  APPEARANCES

 

 April 19th      El Farol (Santa Fe)

 May 2          El Farol (Santa Fe)

 May 25 -- Private Party 

  May 30  Elliot's   Corrales

  May 31 -- BBQ Rib Championship Festival -- Abq. 

 June 6 - Letter Carriers Association -- Annual Spring Party 

 June 28th   El Farol (Santa Fe)

  June 29th  Private Party 

   July 6th -- Angel Fire State BBQ and Beer Rally (July 4th weekend)

   August 12 -- Santa Fe Plaza -- Summer Concert Series 

  August 29 -- Private party

   August 30 --  Private Party

   Sept. 6, Santa Fe ( private party)

   Sept .  NM State Fair --- dates to be announced    

    Sept. 18, 19, & 20th   Inn of the Mountain Gods / Aspen Cash Festival  (60,000 crazy Texans for 3 DAYS!)

     

BIO

Brother E & the Kings headlining the Angel Fire Festival

 Booking info, contact Gary Millhollon at 710-5100 or 821-5101

  Think Sam & Dave, Aretha, Freddie King, Ray Charles, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Bobby Blue Bland, Keb Mo and Sam Cook, with a little bit of the Drifters, James Brown and Muddy Waters thrown in. If you want a rockin' Soul band for your party, Call the guys that Hollywood calls---- the Blue Rhythm Kings.   

They rock your socks off, then bring you down with the slow, belly-rubbin’ music that makes a crowd go crazy. From weddings to summer nights at the Santa Fe Plaza; from the State Fair to anniversaries; from blues festivals to corporate events (IBM, Wackenhut, SWCC Corp, Dell Computer, Hayward Corp, Texas Instruments, etc.),  the musicians in the Blue Rhythm Kings make the difference between an "OK" event to a non-stop party.  They came together from Chicago, Austin, Kansas City, LA, Portland, and New Mexico. They've played with the greats from blues, soul, and R&B. Now they play in the Southwest.

THE MUSICIANS

Brother E (Eric Bland) was long known as the leading gospel singer among NM’s Black churches when Gator Millhollon (guitarist) moved here from Austin and augmented E’s musical tastes toward soul, blues and R&B. The producer of the Soul Train radio show described Brother E as “a great singer with Sam Cook-looks and an Otis Redding soul.”  When Brother E sings, EVERYBODY listens.

Gary "Gator" Millhollon (guitar, backup vocals) Gator played for 10 years with T-Bone Turner’s Band and with Missing Pages in Austin, Texas. Millhollon has opened for or played with such other luminaries as SRV, Jimmie Vaughan, The Fab Thunderbirds, and (while in St. Louis) shared the stage with the legendary Chuck Berry. His guitar work is strongly influenced by the three Kings – BB, Freddie, and Albert. He was 5 years old when he heard Roy Orbison play on an outdoor stage in the parking lot of a furniture store in Odessa, Texas. From then on, he knew he was going to play guitar.

Bobby Clements (drums) is originally from California and was long-time drummer for the country-rock band, Country Generation. He has performed at Disneyland, Knottsberry Farms, The Cowboy Club in Orange County, and the Hunting Beach Pavilion to crowds of more than 3,000 people. His solid beat is the heart of the Blue Rhythm Kings. He crazy, he's fun, and "he got the beat."

Jeff Scott (bass and harmonica) provides the backbone and has experience in rock and blues bands in New Mexico. His harmonica playing is always a highlight that crowds love when the Kings get down and dirty on the blues. His growling voice is reminiscent of Howlin' Wolf.

Big Dan Peinado (guitar)  Big is the New Mexico native that brings a whole new dimension to the Wall of Sound that defines the Blue Rhythm Kings. Professionally trained in Flamenco Guitar by Pedro Cuadra and Daniel Ward, in addition to his blues experience, Big has also been recognized by Albuquerque's Weekly Alibi as "a cross between BB King and Stevie Ray Vaughn." Big is known to bring down the house with his soulful solos on songs like The Thrill is Gone.

Chuck Tabbert & Jim Williams --- The Double E Horns play the sax and trumpet section you hear when the soul and blues start cooking. This amazing horn section, also sings back-up and Jumpin' Jim Williams is a guitar virtuoso as well, while Chargin' Chuck Tabbert doubles as a keyboard player as well.

Ron Lipton  -- Although he as retired as a member of the Kings, he still shows up occasionally to add his tenor sax, harmonica, as well as singing leads and backup . He has performed in bands with widely varied musical styles but always seems to find his way back to the blues and soul music of his native Chicago.  Ron has been the opening act for many legends of the blues, including Willie Dixon, Junior Wells, and Albert Collins. For a time, Ron was taken under the wing of saxophone legends Bobby Keys (Rolling Stones) and the late Sam Franklin (Albert Collins band) and performed many times with both of these great musicians. He reportedly hit on at least one of the (then single) Dixie Chicks when playing with them several years ago. (No luck, but you can't blame an old Chicago boy for trying.)

                            For Booking info, contact Gary Millhollon at (505) 710-5100 or 821-5101

 HOLLYWOOD REFERENCES  

             

 Jeremy Irons (with Carly Simon)       Ben Kingsley                      Christopher Walken             

"The Blue Rhythm Kings were fantastic.     "Brother E performed a scene       "When our producers needed a good       It was a great night with fine music in        for us in Suspect Zero; it was a       band for our bar scene they called the    Santa Fe. Very gracious fellows."                 great performance."                        Blue Rhythm Kings."

  

  MUSICIAN REFERENCES 

                            In July, the Blue Rhythm Kings were proud to host blues legend, Louisiana Red.

                     W.C.  HANDY AWARD WINNER

           LOUISIANA RED

               

                       The Blue Rhythm Kings back up Blues legend, Louisiana Red and 4 time

                              Grammy record producer and harp player, Bob Corritore. (July 28)

"Brother E is a REAL singer and the Kings are a fine band. On the blues circuit, you play with a lot of people, but sometimes you connect in a special way.  Gator (guitarist) is my brother and my  friend.  I loved playing his Gibson Les Paul---wished I could take it with me."

-Louisiana Red (WC Handy Award Winner--Bluesman of the Year)

 

                                        

                                                            Bob Corritore and Bo Diddley

 "It was an honor to play with The Blue Rhythm Kings. I loved everything about the night and want to do it again. Brother E is outstanding and their opening set sounded great!  It's a pleasure to play with a band  that's  in tune with the dynamics of the situation and lets the music breathe."

    ---Bob Corritore (4 time Grammy record producer and noted blues harp player)

 

                          

      William Hart & the Delfonics (one of the top soul groups of the 70's)

 "Brother E & the Blue Rhythm Kings opened for us in New Mexico. Complete professionals! They really warmed up the crowd and got things moving. Great show."

     CANNED hEAT  

 The Kings jammin' w/Canned Heat     The Kings with Sax Maniac Jim Jawbreaker

 ROCK'N' BLUES LEGENDS -- CANNED HEAT

 "Brother E and the Kings--YEAH!  These guys know how to open a show for the headliners. Hope we cross paths again!" -- Greg Kage (Canned Heat)

 

 

                            ggg                       C                      Chris Duarte -  Rated by Guitar Player readers as one of the 5 best guitarists alive.

 "Gator...and the guys deserve a real round of thanks for the  opening set.  I especially enjoyed the way they added accordian to the  Thrill is Gone....a great soulful touch to the blues."

 

           

                                                                                                     Uncle  Joe's  Juke  Joint,  south  Texas 

 

       

          OPENING FOR THE DELFONICS AT THE HISTORIC EL REY THEATRE

           ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Press:

 "The Blue Rhythm Kings are great!  The Santa Fe crowds  love these guys!"  -- El Farol (rated by NY Times as one of the top 10 bars in the USA.)

“Brother E & the Blue Rhythm Kings put on an amazing show.  The crowd loved them. Always recommended.”

--Nancy Laughlin, Director NM State Music Commission

“Those attending the Fair had a really special treat as Brother E & the Blue Rhythm Kings took the stage today and gave us an incredible show.  People couldn't help coming  from all over the fairgrounds. Sweet soul music---live and better than we've ever heard it before."  

---KOB TV (Channel 4,  NBC Albuquerque)

"Brother E has Sam Cooke looks and Otis Redding soul." 

--Soul Train Radio Show

 "Brother E & the Kings are always one of the state's favorite bands."

--Albuquerque Tribune

 " One of New Mexico's best bands."

 --Associated Press 

"Incredible show in the Santa Fe Plaza. Great sound, and what a dance band! No one there could sit still."

--Randy Forrestor, KSFR Radio Santa Fe

"When they played Freddie King's 'Someday After a While' the soul was so full of gospel that I thought I was back in the Macon County AME Church. These guys are the real deal."

--Slim Whatley, Mississippi Statesman

"While in Albuquerque, drop into the historic El Rey Theatre where you can catch national touring acts and local greats, Brother E & the Blue Rhythm Kings with their great blend of soul, blues and R&B. "  --American Online City Guide

“Brother E & the Kings were outstanding. Their gigs drew the largest crowds at  the African American  Pavillion.”—Sivlois Reeves, Director

""Out of all the NM bands we book each year, Brother E & the Kings are my very favorite. Their gigs are always a full house of dancing, partying, and frolicking. Excellent show from an outstanding band."

--Kathy Zimmer,  Historic El Rey Theater

"It's the kind of story that calls out to moviemakers. The blues guitarist moves here from Austin, meets the gospel singer, forms band, and becomes a part of NM music history. Brother E and the Blue Rhythm Kings have a great following from all walks of life in Albuquerque and play all kinds of venues. They mostly perform works of the greats—though in the grand soul and blues tradition--always with their own spin—from the likes of Bill Withers, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Robert Cray and James Brown, among others. . . . This is a band that really connects in a meaningful way."

--Alibi (NM's alternative newspaper)

(see full article reprinted below)

"Those of you that missed the Louisiana Red concert really missed history in the making. Louisiana Red was spectacular!  Brother E and the Blue Rhythm Kings did an excellent job warming up the audience and then backed Red with taste and precision. The audience was absolutely mesmerized, and so were we. Without question, one of the best shows ever done at either the El Rey or the Golden West Saloon in their 42 year history. Absolutely magical!"

--NM Blues Society Underground

"This band IS New Mexico's award-winning soul and R&B band."

--Santa Fe Community Plaza Performance Venue

"Brother E is tremendous and those white boys backin' him up can PLAY the blues."  --Howlin' Lonnie Carreathers,  African-American Source

"The Southwest's premier soul band. We recently had the privilege to hear the Blue Rhythm Kings play with blues legend Louisiana Red at a club in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was an incredible demonstration of what delta blues is all about . . . they worked together like biscuits and gravy. Great show! "

– Thomas Louis, NPR Opinion Network (Dallas)

        -----------JUST FOR LAUGHS----------

   

Gator, Luther Allison, and Buddy Guy in the Golden West Saloon.         Bobby & Gator play while Billy  Gibbons prepares to join in.

Our trip to Mississippi -- We had always wanted to go to Mississippi up Hwy. 61 where it all  started. Our first gig  was at the Devil's Playpen in Mineola. When we walked up to the place, the locals looked skeptical. Who was this band from New Mexico with  black, white and Hispanic guys? (picture below). But by 10 pm, we had them rocking (next picture taken from the stage)             b                  Then there was the night in NY.  Keith sat in with us on a Chuck Berry set and we partied. Big Dan and Bobby were feeling no pain that night. Not sure what Keith gave them. 

  jfjfjfjfjfjfjggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggfjfjfffjfjfjfjfjThe.                                                                      

                       

         Tour of Europe with Canned Heat                             The Kings jammin' with Chuck Berry.

 

   

             Joe Walsh and the Blue Rhythm Kings.                           Gator with Ike and Tina in the old days.

              Gator backs Shemeika Copeland.                               Gator and Kinky Friedman enjoy a laugh.            

    

     Bassman Jeff  Scott with Bob Dylan at the House of  Blues in NY   Jagger, Richards, Jeff Beck and Gator in LA.

     as  Supermodel Carmen Estevez looks on.                                                              

                 

 Halloween with the KINGS!!!!  Fun! aaaa             

 
                 

House Built to Replace a Dilapidated Shack, Replenish hope for a family

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – The Historic El Rey Theater and the Albuquerque community have forever changed the destiny of a destitute family in Jamaica. The decision to build a house for the destitute means there will be one less family sleeping in a garbage dump, slum, or leaky shack.

Food For The Poor – the third largest international relief and development agency in the US issued this statement "We would like to sincerely thank Kathy Zimmer, The Historic El Rey Theater and the Albuquerque community for their generosity. Additional thanks to the performers, who donated their time and talents to attract the hundreds who attended and donated funds: Brother E & the Blue Rhythm Kings, Cadillac Bob & the Rhinestones, and the Albuquerque Blues Connection."es Connection.

Food For The Poor constructs houses for the poor at no cost to them, replacing the dilapidated shacks they once called home. Typically the shacks are made of whatever materials they can find: cardboard, plastic, sticks, and rusty metal. In contrast, Food For The Poor’s sturdy houses consist of a 12' x 18 ' one-room structure with cement foundation, hurricane straps, leak-free roof, locking door, two louvered windows and a front porch. 
 he housing

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   REPRINT FROM THE ALIBI ON THE BAND (copyright Weekly Alibi)

   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

     alibi New Mexico’s Alternative Weekly

     V.15 No.24 | June 15 - 21, 2006 ----------- © 1996-2006 Weekly Alibi ------------------------------------

    Brother E and the Blue Rhythm Kings take their Soul Music to the

                     Federal Women's Correction Facility

By Marisa Demarco

 It's the kind of story that calls out to moviemakers. Eric Bland is the son of a minister, a gospel singer, known in Albuquerque for his work in choirs. In walks Gary "Gator"  Millhollon, a blues guitarist who worked out of Austin, Texas, before moving here seventeen years ago. Millhollon, who is white, is fortunate enough to join the Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, home one of the best choirs around. The blues guitarist and the gospel singer meet.

"He invited me over one day to sing some tracks and have some fun," Bland says. "He had equipment and things in his garage. We were just messing around. Well, messing around got kind of serious."

Today you can also call Bland "Brother E." He fronts a seven-piece band called the Blue Rhythm Kings. They mostly perform works of the  greats—though in grand soul and blues tradition, always with their own spin—from the likes of Bill Withers, Otis Redding, B.B. King, Robert Cray and James Brown, among others.

                   

Brother E and the Blue Rhythm Kings have a great following from all walks of life in Albuquerque, and the group has played all kinds of venues. The transition from sacred to secular hasn't been all that difficult for Bland. He says he doesn't sing any differently in the choir than when he takes the stage at Puccini's Golden West. "I try to sing my best whatever I do," he says. "I never had people jump and cry when I sing ‘The Thrill is Gone’ the way they do when I sing ‘Amazing Grace.’ It has a different effect, because it has a different meaning. Anyone who knows me knows that it always comes from my soul and my heart."

You sing from the soul when you sing gospel, and you sing from the soul when you sing the blues, he says. The difference is that blues is all about life, he says. That focus on hardship and the ability to uplift is part of why David Lescht of Outside In booked Brother E and the Blue Rhythm Kings to play at the Grants Federal Women's Correction Facility for a Juneteenth concert. "It's a therapeutic situation for people who are in difficult circumstances," Lescht says. "It allows them to celebrate and makes them feel very human, especially when it's a cultural thing. We choose bands that can connect in a meaningful way."

Juneteenth commemorates the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Every year, Outside In, a nonprofit organization that brings music to people in all types of confinement, puts on a Juneteenth show because of the unusually high number of African-American women incarcerated in our state, Lescht says. He also puts together shows on Cinco de Mayo, Christmas and Halloween.

Still, some people have a problem with the notion of entertaining prisoners. But Lescht doesn't consider it entertainment. "Live music is a powerful healing force," he says. Bland, who also happens to work as a corrections officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center, says jail can be a place of rehabilitation if you take advantage of it. "I think people are human," he says. "They're not dogs, and they're not cats. If they have been obedient, and if the warden wants to grant something to them for it, that's wonderful. " We all come to music for comfort," Bland adds, "and nothing comes for free in jail. They must have earned it, and anything earned is great."

contact   gm.naig@comcast.net