Ann Armstrong - Vocals, Guitar;
Steve Hughes - Vocals, Harmonica, Flute, Kalimba;
Steve Babcock - Drums;
Lee Arden - Bass
Influences
Ann: Gene Autrey, Skip James, Rosemary Clooney, Robert Johnson, David Bromberg, Carolyn Hester, Spinoza, Roshi Shunryu Suzuki, Allen Ginsburg, Mance Lipscomb
Steve: John Pierre Rampal, Johann Sebastian Bach, Walter Hyatt, Sonny Terry, Roy Rogers and Trigger, Blind Willie Johnson, Bob Dylan, Saffire - The Uppity Blues Women, Albert Einstein, George Fox, Siddhartha, Jefferson Airplane, Crow Johnson, John Vandiver, Francis Bacon, Genghis Kahn, Hannibal of Carthidge, Cleo Lane, Gunter Grass
Sounds Like
We sound like Ann & Steve with a rhythm section, what do you think?
Ann Armstrong is right up there with the great musical exports of Texas! She plays guitar sometimes sweetly, sometimes prickly as an Ocotillo cactus, sings like a steam-powered nightingale and writes songs from a depth of experience.
“Ann Armstrong’s music runs the gamut from love songs to deep blues. If you’re looking for a peg on which to hang the music of Ann Armstrong and her band, here’s a clue - you’ll need more than one.”, says the San Antonio Express-News. Austin American - Statesman says “her talents, both as a songwriter and blues performer, are deep and diverse. Her constant companion and musical partner Steve Hughes spices up the proceedings with fine harmonica and flute work. If you haven’t caught her act (check out her blazing bottle-neck guitar work), you’re way behind the times in keeping up with the Texas blues scene.”
Ann and Steve’s three full CDs, “I Go To Pieces” (Heads Up OXCD/MC 3007), “Think About The Rain” (OXCD/MC 3012) and “Lucky Charm” (Aqua Fria AFCD/2010) have gained the group international attention. In response to continued requests for a recording that captured the spark and performance of the duo, Ann and Steve recorded a two song CD single, “uncovered”. Radio and Press in the US, and from as far away as Poland and Hong Kong, has been very favorable. Ann toured England and Scotland with folk-great Carolyn Hester. Ann appeared on Country Music Radio in London. The show is syndicated all over Europe. Ann also guested on the BBC Glasgow. The Scotsman of Glasgow compares Ann Armstrong to “both Mary Chapin Carpenter and k d lang, in the sensual swelling power of her singing - but with a wicked blues twist, bottleneck belters alternating with yearning love songs, rawness and delicacy memorably counter-poised.”
Ann and Steve as a team, and their mutual love for the music, started more years ago than either care to comment on. One critic commented “It’s scary to think of where Ann would be today if she’d been putting out records earlier in her career”. They have, through the years, shared billings with Albert Collins, Jerry Jeff Walker, Hot Tuna, Arlo Guthrie, Guy Clark, Taj Mahal, Richard Thompson and many more. Ann remembered a lead in spot for Bobby Blue Bland “After the first show I was approached by Mr. Bland’s bodyguard Maurice. He told me ‘If you’d like to meet Mr. Bland follow me.’ I was ushered into Mr. Bland’s presence. It was like a royal audience, He told me ‘You play real fine little lady.’”
Ann & Steve have performed at Festivals such as The Kerrville Folk Festival, Iowa’s Rollin’ on the River Festival and the Benson & Hedges Blues Festival. Ann and Steve have appeared on Tom Bodett’s “End of the Road Show” and Illinois’ “Rural Route 3”.
The Fayetteville, Morning News says of Armstrong and Hughes, “Whether with a full band or taking the stage as a twosome, the music they make always sets toes tapping and bodies swaying.” Also, “Armstrong and multi-instrumentalist Hughes deliver a delectable mixture of folk and blues, from classic covers like Robert Johnson’s ‘Come Into My Kitchen’ to Armstrong’s own gorgeous classic, ‘Think About the Rain’.”
Ann & Steve are now playing with the rhythm section of Lee Arden on bass and Steve Babcock on drums. The rhythm section for both "I Go To Pieces" and "Lucky Charm". This band rocks!!!!
Back in 1984, Ann & Steve helped score a Sci-Fi Spoof called "Blood Suckers from Outer Space". Look out, there's a new DVD of the film out. If you want to buy one, see us at a gig. They're $20. What a deal! We have t-shirts too! Here's a taste, yummmm.
Come out to my meet & greet this Saturday 7/19/09 at Tobacco Box in Rowlett, TX from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m at 8809 Lakeview Pkwy. They'll be food, drinks, and lots of great Texans enjoying themselves.
Ann Armstrong Band...It's finally here! The most unforgettable country music event in East Texas! Mill Creek Ranch Resort presents “Mill Creek Ranch Summer Bash 2009”!! Don’t miss out on this VIP opportunity to stay in the resort, attend the festive concert and actually meet and shake hands with some of today’s top ten country music artists….. all while experiencing first class treatment in Texas’ finest resort! Spaces are very limited, so be sure and reserve your cabin or RV space now to make sure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable stay-n-play getaway under the stars! Event dates are July 24th & 25th in Canton, Texas. Mill Creek Ranch Resort is proud to host Aaron Watson, Deryl Dodd, Rich O’Toole, Jamie Richards, The Cody Riley Band, Whiskey Fish and ?????…for a 2 day show! For more information visit our website............ www.MillCreekRanchResort.com or call (866) 599-7275 today!
We Want Ann Armstrong Band To Win A Free Night In Mill Creek Ranch Resort!
Would you like to win a free night stay in one of our cabins inside Mill Creek Ranch Resort? All you need to do is sign up for our free monthly newsletter, full of discount coupons, exciting news and event updates… and you could be our next winner! All we need is your name and e-mail address and you will automatically be entered into a monthly drawing to give away a “FREE NIGHT STAY IN A CABIN INSIDE MILL CREEK RANCH RESORT”! For this offer to be valid, please reply back to the CONTACT FORM at... http://www.vacationpropertyatmillcreek.com/contact.htm and include an e-mail address other than your MYSPACE e-mail address.
Drawing will be held on the last day of each month.
Thank you!
Alan Franklin Cottage Sales Director Mill Creek Ranch RV & Cottage Resort 2102 N.Trade Days Blvd. Canton, Texas 75103
Phone: (469) 853-3172
http://www.vacationpropertyatmillcreek.com
alan@millcrekranchresort.com
"Leisure At It's Finest"
Your privacy is very important to us. It is our promise to you that your information will never be sold, traded or used in any other way.
Would you like to win a free night stay in one of our cabins inside Mill Creek Ranch Resort? All you need to do is sign up for our free monthly newsletter, full of discount coupons, exciting news and event updates….. and you could be our next winner! All we need is your name and e-mail address and you will automatically be entered into a monthly drawing to give away a “FREE NIGHT STAY IN A CABIN INSIDE MILL CREEK RANCH RESORT”! For this offer to be valid, please reply back to to my MYSPACE message inbox with your name and an e-mail address other than your MYSPACE e-mail address.
Drawing will be held on the last day of each month.
Thank you!
Alan Franklin Cottage Sales Director Mill Creek Ranch RV & Cottage Resort 2102 Trade Days Blvd. Canton, Texas 75103
This Saturday, January 24, 9:30pm, MILTON HOPKINS (9 yrs. with BB King's band and one of the last of the school of "real deal" legends of Texas Rhythm & Blues guitar) & "TEXAS JOHNNY BOY (vocals, harmonica, flute, tenor & alto saxophone) will be in downtown Dallas at a fine club called "PEARL" at 2038 Commerce St, 75201, ph# 214-655-8824. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU AND YER FRIENDS AT THE PARTY!!
Hey there Ann Armstrong, thanks for the add! You are now on the new Clubstr Music Calendar - now the best music calendar in the DFW area. Fans can put in their zipcode and genre to find all the shows near them or go right to www. Clubstr. com/DallasTX. There's a version right on our myspace as well.
Upload a sample track, and people will hear your music right on the calendar!
Thanks for the add! Any time you want to come out and visit the resort, please feel free to give me a call on my cell at 469-853-3172 or e-mail me at alan@millcreekranchresort.com . Be sure and check out the web site at http://www. millcreekranchresort. com I hope to see ya' here soon! Have a blessed day, Alan Franklin
