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Big Boy Little may be the nom de blues of veteran harp player/ singer Bret Littlehales, but then again it may not. If it is, then we can trace him back to the Northside Blues Band in 1968- 69, with a young Bobby Radcliff on guitar. If not, then he might have been the mysterious harp player on Son House's extended recording of Death Letter Blues in Mississippi circa 1942. Then again, that might have been someone else.
This we know for sure: he's led the BBL Blues Band in DC for the last seven years, five in residence at the Zoo Bar, and that, much like the Duke of Earl, nothing can stop him. In fact, the brand new edition of the band debuts Thursday nights at the Zoo Bar Blues Jam.
Loved by some, including himself, reviled by some, also including himself, BBL keeps those blues keepin' on, whatever that means. So check it out- the enigmatic, quixotic, mysterious, always entertaining Big Boy Little Band.
What some others say:
"Back in1967, Bret Littlehales (AKA Big Boy Little) was THE harmonica man! He not only played like a demon, but knew more about blues music than anybody else. He was a major influence on shaping the Washington blues scene back then & he's still playing the real 100%, low down & dirty blues to this day." - Bobby Radcliff
"These guys play blues for grown-ups."- Bill Kirchen
"Bret and I were rivals in 1967 for top dog local harp guys. I did Bret the favor of leaving town and he and Bobby Radcliff formed the Northside Blues Band, the prototype DC whiteboy blues band. I returned to DC in 1972 and started the Nighthawks.
Now Bret's back. I guess I better tighten up."- Mark Wenner of The Nighthawks
"This guy's a real blues player."- Huey Lewis of The News
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