NAZBA Winter Blues Showcase featuring Johnny Burgin II and Big Daddy D and the Dynamites

BLUES FANS! Johnny Burgin II is coming to town! FEBRUARY 28th at the Elks Crystal Room oin Prescott. Get your tickets at

https://ci.ovationtix.com/36295/production/1249165...

Johnny’s known as road warrior who’s on tour close to 200 nights a year across the States, in Mexico and Europe. But if you’d told him this would be his career when he was in high school, he wouldn’t have believed you. Johnny grew up in Mississippi and South Carolina and went to University of Chicago with the intention of becoming a writer. When a friend took him out to a West Side ghetto club to hear the blues singer, Tail Dragger, it was a conversion moment. The Blues came to life for Johnny and he fell headfirst into the vibrant Chicago blues scene. Choosing the Blues clubs over the library, Johnny eagerly absorbed the lessons from the Blues masters who practiced their craft nightly. Through persistence and practice, Johnny gained a spot in Tail Dragger’s band, and started gigging and recording with traditional blues veterans like Sam Lay, Billy Boy Arnold, and Pinetop Perkins. By the late 90s, Johnny was working regularly in Chicago-land Blues clubs under his own name. Johnny started a Monday night residency at The Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, featuring vocalist Jimmy Burns. The band featured other future Blues notables who were also at the beginning of their careers, such as Kenny Smith on drums and Martin Lang on harp, and they created quite a buzz. They packed the club every Monday with a younger, hip crowd, as well as blues veterans stopping by to sit in, such as Dave Meyers, Jesse Fortune, and Barkin’ Bill. Their success led to a record deal with Delmark and the first of several European tours.

The shangri-la of being “King of Division Street” eventually ran its course and Johnny dropped off the scene entirely to raise a daughter. When the music eventually called Johnny back, his comeback was noted by The Chicago Tribune, Chicago Blues Guide, and the Dutch Blues magazine BLOCK. As noted Blues producer Dick Shurman wrote, “Johnny’s skills, passion and commitment were undiminished”. His move to the Bay Area in 2016 led to a creative burst and his most notable recordings. In a few short years, Johnny cranked out the Cali/Chicago Blues mashups Greetings from Greaseland, Neoprene Fedora, the Howlin’ Wolf tribute Howlin’ at Greaseland (nominated for a 2023 BMA for Best Traditional Blues Recording) and Johnny Burgin Live, which featured blues legend Charlie Musselwhite and was nominated for a Blues Blast Best Live Recording Award for 2019.

Johnny had always done road work, but during this time, he grew into the role of the constantly touring road warrior he’s known as today.Johnny’s produced eleven CDs as a leader to his credit and dozens more as a sideman. He’s recorded with veterans like Johnny Sansone, Paul DeLay, Bob Corritore, and Jimmy Burns as well as up and comers like Aki Kumar, Joel Astley, and Ben Levin. Johnny developed from a young guitar slinger and local Blues hero to a matured Bluesman, fully fledged singer and the confident and engaging bandleader. In recent years, he has been a resident instructor at the Pinetop Perkins Foundation and the Chicago Blues Guitar Workshop and has developed a loyal following on YouTube channel for his weekly looks at the Blues guitar greats.

Johnny’s recordings have evolved from being very Chicago-centric, to a fusion of West Coast and Chicago styles, and finally, to a more inclusive, international approach. His CD No Border Blues Japan is the first American compilation of the underground Japanese blues scene. His latest CD, “Ramblin’ From Coast to Coast”, has made several Best-Of-’24 lists and received a Blues Blast nomination for Best Traditional Blues CD.https://johnnyburgin.com/

Accolades:

“His guitar style is raw and rude and real– on the vocal side, a nice original style– he’s damn good!”–Elvin Bishop

An adventurous musician who’s never shy about taking chances.–Marty Gunther, Blues Blast

This veteran blues musician has been on a roll of late turning out one exceptional album after another.–David Mac, Blues Junction

The well-traveled and prolific Chicago bluesman.. brings something different each time he issues a solo album.–Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine.

Johnny’s ego-free dedication to the music is refreshing. In a world where everyone wants to be a superstar, Johnny shines brightly. He is truly an old-school bluesman.–Bill Wilson, Reflections in Blue

Big Daddy D and the Dynamites:

Big Daddy D and Dynamites, features 2025 Blues Hall of Fame® (Arizona), in 2026 The Arizona Blues Hall of Fame Inductee Darryl Porras on guitar and vocals. He was also a 2022 Memphis IBC Finalist Runner Up as lead guitarist for the Cros Band. Big Daddy’s guitar work is a combination of old and new styles and guaranteed to grab your ear. Betty Jo Vachon, on vocals, who is also a Blues Hall of Fame® Inductee, delivers Blues to the audience with power and finesse like no other. She is hailed by fans as a "Passionate... Powerful, and Soulful vocalist that connects with people." On drums is 2019 Blues Hall of Fame® Inductee and Ambassador (Arizona) and a 2017 Memphis IBC Semifinalist Dr. Bob Sellani. The band also features Rick Mutter on keys, a 2020 IBC Semifinalist and 2022 Memphis IBC Finalist Runner Up. And finally, rock steady and longtime bassist in the band, Scott Jeffy. This powerhouse band plays extensively throughout Arizona at notable venues and festivals, including The Colorado River Blues Festival, Flagstaff Blues and Brews, Glendale Blues and Jazz Festival, The Phoenix Blues Society's Annual Blues Blast, The Prescott Valley Blues Festival, The 2nd Annual Prescott Blues Festival, The Arizona State Fair, The Page Hot Air Balloon Festival, Tucson Blues Festival, and many local city events including The Camp Verde Pecan and Wine Festival, Sedona Red Dirt Concert Series, Clarkdale in the Park, Flagstaff Concert Series, and The Payson Outdoor Concert Series.

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