THE FOUNTAIN BLUES FESTIVAL ALLSTARS BAND

With special guest Chris Cain!

“All great players in their own right…to see them on stage together promises to be magic!” --Ted Gehrke, presenter

"Nowadays most young blues players are Strat-wielding Stevie Ray Vaughan-a-bes. Not Chris Cain. With a voice that recalls B.B. King and a thick toned Gibson guitar sound reminiscent of Albert King, Cain is forging a unique style with his own highly personalized songwriting!" -- Larry Nager, syndicated music critic

"[Lara Price's] vocal instrument as as strong as it is sensual." --San Francisco Chronicle

The Fountain Blues Festival AllStars Band, comprised of award-winning local and national talent who have all performed at the prestigious Metro Fountain Blues Festival, includes: Ron E. Beck, legendary drummer for Tower of Power and John Lee Hooker; San Francisco singer-songwriter Stan Erhart; vocalist Lara Price; Mark Fenichel; Maxx Cabello Jr.; JC Smith; Kaye Bohler; Andy Just; Gary Smith; Richard Palmer; Endre Tarczy; and featuring special guest Chris Cain!

More About the Band:

Chris Cain

Cain is a master of the blues: guitar, vocals, and keyboards. His jazz-tinged, blues guitar and deep, warm vocals have the maturity and authenticity of bluesmen many years his senior. Through his guitar mastery and remarkable songwriting ability, Cain has established himself as a musical force to be reckoned with. John Orr, arts and entertainment editor for the San Jose Mercury News, said, "Chris Cain, more than anyone else, anywhere, represents the future of the blues."

Ron E. Beck

Drummer Ron E. Beck has spent the last 40 years in bands such as Tower of Power and performing with artists like John Lee Hooker; Bobby Womack; Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis, Jr.; Sista Monica; Chris Cain; Herbie Hancock; and Carlos Santana. Now, he teaches students at his own Ron E. Beck Drum Institute in San Jose, Calif.

Kaye Bohler

Singer, songwriter and bandleader Kay Bohler has performed to sold-out shows all over Northern California, including the Little Fox Theatre in Redwood City; the Blues by the Bay Festival; and the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. For more than 25 years Bohler has been captivating audiences with her dynamic range and down-to-earth- rapport with her fans.

Maxx Cabello, Jr.

Legendary guitarist Dick Dale said, "Maxx Cabello, Jr., is a name you are going to remember!” The guitarist/vocalist/songwriter hails from the Bay Area and has opened for greats such as Earth, Wind, and Fire; John Lee Hooker; Ozomatli; Roy Rogers; Tommy Castro; Chris Cain; and the alternative group Third Eye Blind.

Stan Erhart

Stan Erhart and his band bring a soulful mix of blues, R&B, rock, and jazz to audiences everywhere. Hitsession.com said, "San Francisco singer/songwriter Stan Erhart exists in that blues-rock space occupied by John Hiatt, Warren Zevon, and Dave Alvin. With his weary, gravelly voice, Erhart exists well outside of the pop mainstream, but should find fans among those who seek a rootsy, American style..."

Mark Fenichel

Mark “Fenny” Fenichel has played with and opened for many wonderful musicians including Boz Scaggs; Chubby Checker; Joe Louis Walker; Booker T & The MG's; Roy Rogers; Big Daddy Kinsey; CJ Chenier; Jon Paris; and JJ Malone. He accompanied headliner Brownie McGhee on the main stage at the 1995 Chicago Blues Festival and the Monterey Blues Festival and his harmonica style can be heard throughout McGhee’s last album "Brownie's Blues.”

Andy Just

In the finest of West Coast blues harmonica traditions, Andy Just has been thrilling audiences with his explosive performances both in the United States and abroad. The 28-year blues veteran has played with some of the greats: B.B. King; Bo Diddley; John Lee Hooker; Buddy Guy; Albert King; Ronnie Wood; James Cotton; and many more. Just also scored music for the George Lucas’ film “Murder in Mississippi,” and has done national commercials for Kellogg’s and Chrysler Corporation.

Richard Palmer

Richard Palmer is a keyboardist and songwriter, and has played withone of the hardest-rocking combos in the South Bay, Nitecry, and also Montalvo favorite Tommy Castro. Palmer has also been seeing playing in JC Smith’s band at various venues in the Bay Area.

Lara Price

Lara Price fell in love with the blues without expecting to: "I didn't find the blues, the blues found me." The journey of her band includes four albums; tours in the United States and China; and performances at world-renowned festivals such as the Monterey Blues Festival, San Jose Jazz Festival and Greater Ozarks Blues Festival. Price has shared the bill with headliners Etta James; James Brown; Buddy Guy; Leon Russell and many more.

Gary Smith

For three decades, San Jose harmonica player Gary Smith has been an influential figure in the San Francisco Bay Area blues scene: his band was the first to grace the stage at the inaugural San Francisco Blues Festival in 1973. Long regarded as the “Godfather of San Jose Blues Harmonica,” he demonstrates his harp playing prowess and Little Walter influenced tone on “Blues For Mr. B.” This album features some incredible music, which sounds new and exciting, while remaining respectful to the blues tradition.

JC Smith

J.C. Smith returns to Montalvo once again to channel his love of blues. Originally from the Bay Area, Smith is an outstanding performer noted for his energy and charisma. He has shared the stage with some of Chicago's greats – Pinetop Perkins; Willie “Big Eyes” Smith; Hubert Sumlin; and Eddie Shaw just to name a few. Smith's album, “Defining Cool,” is an incredible fusion of old and new blues styles ranging from West Coast Swing and East Bay Funk to raw Chicago.

Endre Tarczy

Multi-instrumentalist Endre T. Tarczy is primarily known as a bassist and stunt-vocalist, but also excels in piano and guitar. At age 14 he discovered guitar great John Cippollina and became hooked on the idea of becoming a professional musician. He made contacts playing in the local blues scene and eventually toured with Chris Cain.

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