Ann Armstrong - Vocals, Guitar;
Steve Hughes - Vocals, Harmonica, Flute, Kalimba;
Billy Bucher - Percussion;
Hugh Vestal - 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
We haven't asked Billy and Hugh yet who their influences are.
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 another top rate rhythm section with Billy Bucher on percussion and Hugh Vestal on electric bass.
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.
We need to make some more noise! loo at your sched & see what you got open this week please. I fell in love with a Mustang Bass yesterday, give me an excuse to make room for it....LOL
At a very early age, Billy Bucher left home to join the pit band of "Show Boat" thus becoming Dixieland Dude. The rest is history. Thought we sounded great tonight. Billy
You know I Love ya! (and Steve, too) Glad I found your "my space". Hope to see you soon! Keep playing! Your Biggest Fan, T.Wayne (LOL, I sound like a stalker)
Hey Ann and Steve, I'll bet Fredericksburg is still rockin' from last night. I hope you had a wonderful time. Aren't they just a great bunch of folks at Silver Creek. Wish I could have gone but we'll make up for it on May 17th at AllGoods. Glad you are back safe and sound, Billy Bucher
