Album Notes

Blues Plate Special is a four-piece blues band serving up a variety of "Hot, Tasty, ...Cookin' Blues". Bringing several decades of individual musical experience together, the band has been putting down tight, honest-from-the-soul, BLUES since 1996. "BLUES REVUE" magazine describes them as, "...SOLID!" "BLUES BEAT" magazine says, "... fun and fresh sounding ... a real treat!"

Their house-rockin' style features original material shaped by the jazz influences of bassist, John Wisor and drummer, Dave Fiorini, delta styles from harmonica player, Rhythm Ray Pettis, and the swing/jump blues of StratcatWillie Hayes. Their first cd, "Hot 'n Tasty", contains several original tunes along with some acoustic covers, including Robert Johnson's Terraplane Blues. Their most recent release, "Back for Seconds" is all original blues.

Blowing the Mississippi saxophone is Rhythm Ray Pettis. Influenced by Little Walter and Paul Butterfield, Rhythm Ray can "honk" with the best of them... and he brings an honest, in-the-moment experience to the shows!

StratcatWillie Hayes, drawing on the influences of T-Bone Walker, Grant Green, and B.B. King, loves to swing and handles most of the vocal work. He began his musical career back in the 60's with John "Catfish" Wisor.

The rhythm section is the heart and soul of any great blues band and Blues Plate Special is no exception. Laying down deep, fat grooves are John "Catfish" Wisor on bass and Dave "Sticks" Fiorini on drums. Catfish has been playing bass since he could reach the neck of an upright (which he still uses, when stage space allows). He toured in the 70's and 80's, hitting all the hot spots on the east coast from D.C. to Key West, and played jazz at local clubs with Sticks for several years after that. Sticks has performed with a variety of bands, playing everything from Reggae to smooth jazz.

Blues Plate Special is well known for their engaging and exciting performances at festivals and clubs in the Southern Tier area. Reviewers have referred to them as "...definitely the real thing!" Fans have written to their website... "I bought the live CD... excellent job. You guys are the best blues band I have heard in some time!"... "Love you guys!" ... "Its about time that this area had a great Blues Band and these guys are it!".

You can learn more about them by visiting their website at www.bluesplatespecial.com.