Freddie Cunningham (lead vocals); James Williams (bass and backing vocals); Jim Alfredson (Hammond B-3, lead and backing Vocals); Greg Nagy (Guitar, lead and backing vocals); Bobby Gardner (drums)
Influences
Always a tough one (will have to come back with this formidable list)
For now our influences can be summed up as:
The icons of blues, soul, r&b, jazz, and everything else. Oh and our friends and family. :)
Sounds Like
Root Doctor has shared the stage and bill with such icons as Macy Gray, Taj Mahal, Little Richard, The Pointer Sisters, Buddy Guy, Cheap Trick, James Cotton and so on. They have also had their fair share of headlining spots. Sounds like serious stuff. Yet there's no heady pretense here. Real musicians playing real music, and having a ball doing it. Sounds like Blues, Soul, Funk, Old School R&B, and more.... Sounds like love, heartbreak, recovery, sorrow, joy. With airplay on XM radio and 400 stations around the globe Root Doctor sounds like they are going places.
"...Fun, energetic, and soulful, their music is a promise to rhythm and blues that what is past is as close as the present: traditional does not have to be complacent. Pip McKay - Elmore Magazine, May 2006"
Please take a moment to hear more audio samples and to learn more at:rootdoctorband.com
"Root Doctor has it down cold."
Living Blues
"Root Doctor is finally starting to be recognized as one of the hottest bands on the international blues landscape."
Blues Bytes
"Root Doctor...fits together hand in glove."
Chicago Sun Times
"[Root Doctor] holds one attention... with a passionate resolve..."
Downbeat
"...I really like it [Change Our Ways]. The musical setting is really tasty and better than just solid, a sweet churchy/bluesy R & B sound. I especially like the title tune...It's an excellent CD..."
Dick Shurman
Producer and Historian
(Albert Collins, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, etc..)
Performance Review BB's Jazz, Blues and Soups Performance St Louis MO:
...If you have not yet had a chance to see Root Doctor live, you really, really owe it to yourself to make it happen. This is a HELLUVA band. Loads of synchronicity and soul in their playing; tons of dynamics; and simply GREAT CHOPS.
Drummer Bobby Gardner and bassist James Williams are a deeply funky rhythm section and singer Freddie Cunningham has pipes that won't quit! But I gotta say, the highlight for me was the playing of... Greg Nagy and... Jim Alfredson. Greg is simply a FEROCIOUS guitar player, who manages to draw from a deep well of influences and inspirations without really sounding like anybody else. And Jim's work on Hammond was, frankly, jaw dropping.
The band veers from deep blues to deep soul with a few forays into funky jazz. But what's so impressive is just how organic that mix is. You never get the impression they're trying to "school" the audience with their virtuosity.
The band's affection for one another was obvious, as was their respect for their fellow bandmates' talents. When Jim ventured into a long, elegiac coda to close out "Green Onions," the rest of band watched with rapt attention. It was a fun moment to watch and just one highlight of a great show..."
Jeff Konkel (Living Blues Producer of The Year and owner of Broke and Hungry Records)
http://www.big-o-records.com/catalog/index.phpSELECT HONORS
-2006 Release BEEN A LONG TIME COMING Debuted number 8 on the national Living Blues Radio Charts, Feb 2006, Top 25 several months running. Nominated and awarded WYCE Jammie. Nominated for Detroit Music Awards, made several top ten lists for 2006.
-2007 CHANGE OUR WAYS debuted at number 14 on national Living Blues Radio Oct 2007, Nominated for Detroit Music Awards and Blues Music Award (formerly WC Handy Award), awards two WYCE Jammies, made several "Best Of..." lists and received rave reviews from Downbeat, Hittin The Note, Living Blues, Blues Revue, and many other such publications.
-2008 Live At The Cadillac Club debuted at number 8 on national Living Blues Radio Oct 2008, so far nominated for four WYCE Jammies, and made several "Best of..." lists for '08. Spring review in Downbeat coming and a review at Elmore just in.
For more info and additional audio tracks please visit:
www.rootdoctorband.com
ROOT DOCTOR LIVE ON YOUTUBE
MORE RD LIVE ON YOUTUBE
OBAMA AND ROOT DOCTOR!!! BEEN A LONG TIME COMING!
Hi Guys, Good to see your album is doing well! Once again you are riding high in the Bluesgroove listener favourites for January. Check it out on the Bluesgroove page! Your fans might like to tune in and check out the music! Keep on bluesin' Tess
Hey guys, I had a great time at your cd release party at the Cadillac Club a couple weeks ago. First time my lady friend and I had the opportunity to catch your show. Wow!!! Ya had us up n dancin'!!! We WILL see you again!!!
Hi guys, I'm diggin' the new CD! I've recorded a tribute to Booker T which can be heard on Bluesgroove and your version of Hip hug her is included! Hope you and your fans can tune in and check it out. There's a couple of rare Booker T tracks also in the mix! all the best from your Anglo/Aussie friend Tess!
HELLO MY FIANCE AND I WERE AT THE RECORDING AT WKAR IN LANSING AND I JUST HAVE TO SAY THAT YOU GUYS PUT ON AN AWESOME SHOW WE ENJOYED IT VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THE BLUES!!!!!!!!HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON.
Hi Freddie, Marge and all, it's Danny from the Blues Cruise ('06?). I just heard a track from the new CD on XM Sirius satalite radio,, it was ROCKIN..... Freddie's voice sounded so strong, and the band was as tight as ever..I was just diggin it, and didn't realize ! I was so F*%#n' happy to hear it was Root Doctor !!! ha ha ha... fondly remembering you from the West Coast. Luck D.
Hi Guys,thank you for your virtual friendship here on myspace.Its my pleasure to meet you on there.Sounds great guys i love it,keep up the good work.Cheers from Belgium E.G
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