Studebaker John & The Hawks, Groovefest June 23, 2006. Photo by Keith Blackman, St. George, Utah

Studebaker John & The Hawks
Thursday, Jan. 14 p.m.
$10 cover, includes appetizer

Make a reservation for this show by calling (509) 826-5836.

Studebaker John Grimaldi was born in an Italian-American section of Chicago and started playing harmonica at age 7. Under the spell of music he heard on Maxwell Street, ChicagoÕs famed blues melting pot, Grimaldi began performing as Studebaker John and the Hawks in the Ô70s. The band name referenced the Studebaker Hawk, a car Grimaldi still owns today, and was also intended as a tribute to his friend, J.B. Hutto and the Hawks. John began playing guitar after a life-changing experience of seeing Hound Dog Taylor and the Houserockers perform. ÒÉHound Dog started playing, hitting notes that sent chills up and down my spine. He was versatile and powerful and would play rhythm as well as leads. I left there knowing what I wanted to do. I had to play slide guitar.Ó

What they say about Studebaker John:
"John captures the raw energy and grit of the classic blues musicians but pumped up to a rocking energy level. He has a deep understanding of the blues tradition that comes from hanging with the classic Chicago bluesmen, but he's created his own sound and style from these roots."
-- Bruce Iglauer (Alligator Records)

Studebaker John has never simply wanted to rehash blues classics. Throughout his career, he has striven to capture the creativity and emotional power of the genre's masters by writing his own original blues.
-- Daily Record

Dedicated to the vintage sounds of Chi-town in the golden age of the '50's on guitar and harp, he is no retro man recycling worn out standards. He makes original music that is both timeless and relevant.
-- Guitar One Magazine

Studebaker John & The HawksÕ 10th CD Self-Made Man (Avanti Records) charted # 23 on the Living Blues Top 50 two weeks after its release in June. ÒRide, Ride, RideÓ is in regular rotation on Bill WaxÕs XM Satellite Radio Bluesville channel, and the band is on a national tour that includes stops at the Salmon Arms Roots & Blues Festival in British Columbia, Buddy GuyÕs Legends in Chicago and Stevie RayÕs in Louisville, Kentuck.

Visit the Studebaker John's website.