Album Notes

Mighty Mike Schermer has been a fixture on the Bay Area Blues scene for over 20 years. In addition to a solid solo career, with two critically acclaimed CDs and an award winning single, he has become highly sought after as the “go to guy” sideman for such heavyweights as Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Raitt, Charlie Musselwhite, Maria Muldaur, Howard Tate, Angela Strehli, Sista Monica, Shana Morrison and many, many more. Now a long awaited compilation CD, Right Hand Man Vol. 1, chronicles Schermer’s career alongside many of these top artists.

5 brand new, previously unreleased songs join 8 live and studio gems from the archives to create a deep mix of blues, soul and funky R&B. It’s like taking 13 of the best blues CD’s you can find, loading them in your Ipod and hitting the shuffle button. Holding the album together however…the strain that seamlessly runs through each killer track is Mighty Mike’s stellar guitar playing…at times searing, at others subtle and tasty…always right in the pocket.

And while Right Hand Man Vol. is a must have for any fan of blues guitar, it is the songs and the singing that really set this compilation apart.

“I love burning blues guitar, but I’m also a sucker for good songs and great singers.” says Schermer “I’ve been fortunate to spend most of my career working with some of the best vocalists in the blues, so I wanted this CD to represent that as well. There’s a lot of interplay between the guitar and the vocals, call and response, that comes from a long standing tradition in the blues.”

They say we are judged by the company we keep. If that’s true then Mighty Mike Schermer is doing fine. Pick up a copy of Right Hand Man Volume 1 and you’ll be in good company too.

“Every time I play with him my booty hurts afterwards from him kicking it all night!”
Elvin Bishop


“The real deal…my favorite blues guitarist and a great artist in his own right.”
Maria Muldaur


“…funky and authentic.”
Bonnie Raitt

“Probably the best blues guitarist, singer and songwriter you’ve never heard of!”
Tommy Castro