INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE FINALIST! Progressive Delta Blues: Wicked slide guitar, kick-ass blues harp, great vocals on top notch tunes, wrapped up in an infectious groove! "THE PASSION OF DELTA BLUES, THE EXCITEMENT OF ROCK & ROLL!" 772-801-6099 www.erniesouthern.com Has been opening act for: ALBERT CASTIGLIA, BIG BILL MORGENFELD, JIMMIE VAN ZANT BAND, BOB MARGOLIN, JOE BONAMASSA, LEON RUSSELL, BEN PRESTAGE, CHARLIE MUSSLEWHITE, JAMES COTTON, JOHN HAMMOND, JOHN MOONEY, ALVIN YOUGBLOOD HART, SPIDER JOHN KOERNER, CATFISH KEITH, MORE!
Every now & then an artist emerges & bursts fully mature on the blues scene.
Ernie Southern is one of those few.
Always a surpise, his style is unmistakably
Authentic, evoking the "soul" & "spirit" of the blues masters.
No stranger to music , he began his career as a "street corner" musician recording & performing with "NICK & THE NACKS" accapella group in New York.
Opening for such acts as LITTLE ANTHONY, THE FOUR SEASONS & THE EARLS, he quickly developed his his unique stage presence.
In the 60's, a spot on New York's "ZACHARLY SHOW" earned them an audition with CHESS RECORDS which offered the group a recording contract. Unfortunately for all, the Vietnam War was in high gear & the group disassembled so all could serve their country.
During his four years in Naval Intelligence, He voraciously studied such blues masters as BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON, MUDDY WATERS & LIGHTNING HOPKINS, teaching himself to play guitar, Delta style, incorporating a serious slide.
By the early 70's, with the advent of the pyschedelic era's new directions, Ernie began playing bass in Jazz-Rock-Fusion bands in Berkely, California. Studying with the much revered ELVO D'AMANTE, student of classical composer DARIUS MIO. Then, collaborating with muti-instrumentalist BILL HENNESSY to produce the single "Sailing THROUGH" which enjoyed air play in the north east.
Moving to Florida in 1979 & working with a varietyof bands in various styles, he co-wrote "LIKE A KID AT CHRISTMAS" with "FIVE BOROUGHS" band leader FRANK IOVINO. This song has recieved international air play & is a perennial Christmas favorite.
By 1992, after playing with ever-touring retro-rock band "RI$K", He once again opted to play the DELTA BLUES, which felt just right. The past decade has seen a return to playing, writing & performing the blues, opening for such acts as JOE BONAMASSA, BOB MARGOLIN, LEON RUSSELL, CHARLIE MUSSLEWHITE, ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART, JOHN MOONEY, JOHN HAMMOND, JAMES COTTON, JIMMIE VAN ZANT BAND & many many others.
Winning the SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE & finishing in the TOP THREE in the INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE as a FINALIST, Ernie has since won the REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE representing THE SPACE COAST BLUES SOCIETY.
Ernie looks forward to continued touring with his trio: "ERNIE SOUTHERN & THE DELTAHOLICS", giving passionate & entertaining performances, channeling his experiences through the blues: Delta style! "100 PROOF JUKE!"
New CD: "Every Day Is A Fight" released June 1st 2009 debuts a brand new take on the blues: "PROGRESSIVE DELTA BLUES!"
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