Kim Wilson Show Draws Huge Crowd!

Over 90 people packed into Rockford's Big Cities Lounge to listen to Kim Wilson on Tuesday night, February 3rd. Kim, backed by by the superb Doug Deming and Jeweltones and special guest Jeremy Johnson (and with a surprise appearance by piano legend Barrelhouse Chuck), gave the crowd a legendary perfromance. Whether it was the electricity in the air or the near zero temperatures ouside requiring attendees to get warmed up, the place was on fire after only about 12 bars into the first song. Kim and the bandmembers perfromed two strong sets of music that had the crowd clapping and on their feet.

Wilson's harmonica and vocals were strong. Whether blasting out originals or working great covers of other blues legends like Sonny Boy Williamson's songs, Kim captivated the audience. Doug Deming's guitar work continues ot amaze me for it's precision, clarity and just the fine overall musical quality of his work. He can pick out a tune with the best of them! Joing Deming on guitar this night was Jeremy Johnson from Minnesota, who held his own with some great riffs! The first set was hot and when finished the band mingled with the excited crowd.

At the onset of the second set, the old upright piano was broken out and Barrelhouse Chuck joined in the fun for the entire set! It was an even more rousing time when Kim's co-conspirator with the Cadillac Records Band played along. To note, Kim, Chuck and the Cadillac Records Band recently played one of the inaugural bashes in Washington. The music and performance by all were just outstanding. It was probably the finset show ever put on at Big Cities based on the size and reaction of the crowd!

Kim's newest album, Kim Wilson's Mix Volume I and Demmings' Double Down (along with some older CDs) were scarfed up by the adoring fans. We were also excited to learn that Deming has a new CD that is very close to release and that Volume 4 of Barrelhouse Chucks' Chicago Blues Piano is out!

If you missed this show, you probably missed the Rockford blues even of the year! Thanks go out to the Crossorads Blues Society whose hard work and financial backing once again made a another great show possible!