LONG BEACH, CA – A Benefit Concert to Aid the Wounded Warrior Project, the “We Won’t Forget Blues Review” is a gathering of Blues Artists to do what they love to do, play the blues. This event is hosted by the Orange County Blues Society at the Gaslamp (6251 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach), an all ages concert and event venue located on the border of Orange County and L.A. County. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday June 12, 2016. Appearing are Bernie Pearl, The Chase Walker Band, Johnny Oskam, New Blues Revolution, Papa J & Richard, and Shari Puorto.
The Orange County Blues Society is proud to host an event benefiting an organization whose mission is to honor and empower Wounded Warriors. The Wounded Warrior Project® (WWP) has a big, audacious goal: to foster the most successful, well-adjusted generation of wounded service members in our nation’s history.
The blues is life itself to Bernie Pearl. A guitarist with an upbeat, finger-poppin’ picking style he learned at the elbows of bluesmasters Sam ‘Lightnin’ Hopkins, Mance Lipscomb, Mississippi Fred MacDowell, and others. Yet, Bernie Pearl is no hidebound traditionalist.
Born in August, 1998, Chase Walker, of Riverside CA grew up minutes away from the Fender Guitar factory in Corona, CA yet he didn’t start playing guitar until 2010. Today, in just a few short years, he is a triple threat. Young Chase Walker is already an award-winning guitarist, songwriter, and vocalist creating and performing rock, blues and jazz with equal command. While guitar is his primary instrument he also plays drums and piano.
At age 23, Johnny Oskam is among the new generation of blues artists. A youthful and prolific guitar player, Oskam likes to push the boundaries of the blues by infusing it with rock and jazz, without abandoning the underlying soul and connection of blues. Oskam hopes to make blues a contemporary and living genre by creating well written music that remains faithful to its roots without being afraid to open the doors to other influences.
New Blues Revolution leads the vanguard of the new blues movement in the U.S. (think John Mayer, White Stripes, Joe Bonamassa, and Black Keys). Forging a unique, distinctive style featuring Bill Grisolia’s vocals and piano and Chap Cooper’s guitar, the band brings exciting showmanship to a mix of high-energy songs – deep, modern, rocky but soulful.
Papa J & Richard are Jeff Hudson (Papa J) and Richard Hassebrock and known as one of “The hardest working blues duo in Southern California. Papa J grew up in Los Angeles and has been singing and living the blues his whole life. The decades spent singing rock, blues and rhythm and blues has honed his voice and stage presence into one of the best blues vocalists working the circuit today. Richard grew up with a guitar in his hands, influenced by rock & roll and the British Invasion, coming into the Blues through the back door.
Shari Puorto has the sensibility of an old soul reborn and is undeniably passionate. She possesses a deeply expressive and soulful voice; one that catches you off guard. She is a powerful and dynamic live performer who quickly and quite naturally connects with her audience. With her Blues/Rock Band backing her up you’ll see and feel a band combining today’s Modern Blues/Rock approach with yesteryears traditional Blues.
The Orange County Blues Society is passionate about giving back to our nation’s service members – the few who fight to protect the freedom of this great country. Often times many of these inspiring individuals come home with wounds you can and can’t see, like a missing limb, combat stress, or depression. Because they’ve risked everything for us, we’re committed to raising awareness and funds for these wounded service members and their caregivers.
WWP offers 20 holistic programs to wounded service members and their caregivers completely free of charge and funds raised through this event go directly to Wounded Warrior Project to help fuel these programs.
Please join our efforts and give what you can by donating. Click here to donate whatever you are able to give. Thank you in advance for your support!
OCBS Fundraising Page:
Email this fundraising page link to friends and family so they can help you reach your fundraising goal.
https://fundraise.woundedwarriorproject.org/rtt/Fundraising/team/The-We-Wont-Forget-Blues-Review
We Won’t Forget Blues Review
