T-Bone Walker, Little Walter, Little Milton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Jimmy Reed, Cleveland Fats, Muddy Waters, Snooky Prior, Otis Rush, B.B. King, Junior Wells, Robert Lockwood, Jimmy Rogers, Hound Dog Taylor, Elmore James, Smokey Wilson, Albert King, Kim Wilson, Buddy Guy, Freddy King, Big Walter Horton, Jimmy Vaughan, Magic Sam, Lurrie Bell, Fenton Robinson, Magic Slim, Earl Hooker, John Lee Hooker, Junior Watson, Howlin' Wolf...
Sounds Like
Little Walter, Junior Wells, T-Bone Walker, Muddy Waters, B.B.King, Albert King, Magic Sam, Sonny Boy Williamson... 1950-60's Chicago Blues
The Don Norman Band is an old school rhythm & blues band with a simple goal:
play old school rhythm blues the right way--tight and in the pocket. This is
pre-British invasion rhythm & blues with lots of energy! That's right,
straight ahead 1950's Chicago rhythm & blues. The Don Norman Band originally
joined forces in 1998 in Athens, Ohio, and is now based in Columbus, where
they lend their signature sound backing blues veteran Cleveland Fats.
The Don Norman Band is fronted by Matt McCarthy on vocals and guitar. Matt
leads the way with a classic B.B. King/Albert King sound taught to him by
his friend and mentor Cleveland Fats, originally with Robert Lockwood. Matt
has also played with another Robert Lockwood bandmate, Living Blues
award-winning harmonica player Wallace Coleman. Matt credits Magic Slim,
Muddy Waters, B.B. King, Albert King and Jimmy Reed as his main influences.
While playing with Fats, Matt has had the opportunity to meet or play with
many blues legends such as Junior Wells, Magic Slim, Jimmy Rodgers, Lonnie
Brooks, Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Dawkins, Honeyboy Edwards, and Robert
Lockwood.
On vocals and harmonica is "Big Mike" Gilliland. Mike has been a staple in
the Columbus blues scene for nearly fifteen years and is one of the most
sought after harp players in the area. Mike has been playing with Ray Fuller
& the Blues Rockers for the past ten years, and has also played with Willie
Pooch & the Upsetters. Mike credits Little Walter Jacobs, Big Walter Horton,
Sonny Boy Williamson, and William Clarke as his main influences. While
working with Ray Fuller and Willie Pooch, Mike has had the opportunity to
play with or meet Honey Boy Edwards, Sam Meyers, James Harmon, and Carrie
Bell.
On bass is Toby Shamblin. Toby is a talented musician who can play piano,
guitar, and bass. He credits Willie Dixon, Calvin "Fuzz" Jones, and Nick
Holt as his influences.
On drums is Reagan Baker Anderson. Reagan recently moved back to Columbus
from Mobile, Alabama where he continued his study of the blues. Reagan is a
smooth drummer that prefers to keep the beats laid back and simple. He
credits Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, Sam Carr, and Nate Applewhite as his
influences.
Word on the street is that The Don Norman band may be playing The Smiling Skull Saloon in Athens sometime in the near future. Let me know when the date is set.
Hello Don Norman Band. It's your original bass player saying .. hey!! I do love the logo. I'll be sure to come check out the gig at the Beachland. Need an opening, classic 70's, funk band? I am so glad to see you guys are still at it!!!
