Album Notes

Mike Hammar has been playing the blues in Central Valley and East Bay Area of California for the past 25 years. This Oklahoma born Native American was brought up on the blues by his father Mike Hammar, Sr. who introduced him to the music of Lightin' Hopkins, Gatemouth Brown, T-Bone Walker, and BB King. Still, Mike considers local bluesmen to be some of the greatest influences in his career. The vocals of the late "Rubber Duck", the heart and soul of being the blues and teaching the blues by the honorable "Yosemite Guitar Slim" of The Merced Blues Society a.k.a. Steve Shelton, the attitude and attack of Jay Wood and DJ Slate, the vocals, guitar and true God-given talent of Mr. Kenny Craig of the original Merced Blue Notes, the smile and grace only the King of the Shuffle can put on your face, the late great Carl Mays also of the Merced Blue Notes. Mike spent time learning from and playing with all of his local heroes. After years of being a sideman, Mike set out to create his own legacy. He put together a hard working blues band in 2001 and swore he would do his best to record and perform his own style of blues. Mike Hammar and his band, The Nails, released their first album "Going Home" in the summer of 2004. Their album has received airplay on American Roots Music Radio in Norway, England, Germany, Belgium, Canada, and on the college radio circuit here in the United States. They have opened for Duke Robillard, Michael Burkes, Chris Cain, James Armstrong, Daniel Castro, and Ron Thompson. Mike and the band are currently playing as many dates as they can while writing their second album. A fiery fusion of many styles of blues guitar and a strong understanding of what grooves, demand that you sit back and enjoy the rockin' soul of Mike Hammar and The Nails.