Welcome to the  home of Rudy & the Bluefish

Rudy & the Bluefish was formed in 1998 in an ongoing effort to "keep the blues alive".   There are four seasoned musicians in the current Bluefish line-up:  Chris ("Crawfish") on percussion and vocals;  Tom EB ("Electric Bluesman") on guitar, harp and vocals; Paul ("Bonedaddy") on keyboards, harp and vocals; and Dave (“DaMan”) on bass and vocals. Each of the members of the group has been performing and recording a wide-variety of musical styles for 20 years or more. Collectively, they've appeared in an even wider-variety of venues in most major cities throughout the Northeastern, Mid-Atlantic, Southern, and Western United States. Click here for more info on the members. Click here for more info on the band members.

The Bluefish in 2007

In addition to appearing at a wide variety of regular club dates throughout 2007, Rudy & the Bluefish had several opportunities to perform at different types of events/venues during the year. 

Rudy & the Bluefish had another blast during the “Western Maryland Blues Fest” in June.  The weekend started out with another BLUEFISH FIRST:  a two day blues jam on Friday and Saturday, June 1st and 2nd, at a great new venue, Hempen Hill BBQ, in Hagerstown, MD.  This was the "8th Annual Bluefish Blues Fest All-Star Jam Session."    A Bluefish tradition, the 2007 jams were certainly two nights to remember, as several former Bluefish (Michael Jackson, Laird Bush, Steve Blackstock, Tom Taylor and Rob Bachtell) and many other fine regional musicians took the stage during the two day event. 

Two members of the James Cotton Blues Band, bassist Charles Mack and guitarist Slam Allen, and Tovia ("Suga Wuga") Bradley (drummer for the Ruby Hayes Band) jumped in and got things rolling on Saturday night.   Charles has played with many blues greats:  Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Otis Rush, to name a few . . . check out his bio at:  http://www.charlesmack.com/page1001.html.  Slam has worked with Clarence Carter and Shemekia Copeland . . . you can find his bio here: http://www.soulworkingband.com/bio/index.html.  Tovia has worked with Sly Stone, Guitar Shorty, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson in past projects . . . her bio is equally interesting: http://www.mojoworkin.com/mojoboard/viewtopic.php?t=1089.

A real highlight of the jam was when "RUBY MET RUDY!"  Ruby Hayes and Tovia Bradley did about an hour set with the Bluefish and Shane O'Neill, on harp. Take a look at RUBY's website:  http://www.rubyhayes.com/.    Without a doubt, everyone, players and listeners alike, had a great time at the 8th annual jam!

For the eighth year in a row, Bluefish guitarist and founder, Tom E B, conducted the harmonica workshops in the “Kid’s Jam Too” area of the 2007 Western Maryland Blues Fest.  Many thanks to Shane O’Neill who assisted with the workshops, for the third year straight.  Tom has indicated that he thoroughly enjoys working to keep the blues alive by helping to inspire and open the door for future blues men and women. 

If two days full of jammin' weren't enough, the Bluefish capped off a perfect weekend by performing for the final day of the three-day Western Maryland Blues Fest, at the band shell in Hagerstown's City Park.   The blues fans came out in full force in spite of some rain which was actually a welcome "cool down" after a very hot weekend.

Whether you come out to jam or listen, you won’t want to miss the “NINTH ANNUAL BLUEFISH BLUES FEST ALL-STAR JAM SESSION” - another two-day event planned for Friday and Saturday, May 30th and 31st, 2007 at Hempen Hill BBQ  (website: http://www.hempenhillbbq.com/).   No tellin' who might drop in . . . so, mark your calendars, now!

Here's a link to the Western Maryland Blues Fest site: http://www.blues-fest.org/index.html.

The band appeared at several other outdoor events throughout the summer:  “Summer in the Park Concert Series” in Chambersburg, PA; “Music on the Square” in Greencastle, PA; “Plaza Party” In Hagerstown, MD; M & S Harley-Davidson’s “MDA Ride” in Chambersburg, PA; and the “Main Street Event” at the 1912 Hoover House in Waynesboro, PA.

In October, Rudy & the Bluefish performed at the 4th Annual Jason Chalfant Memorial Jam Session.   Six bands were on the line-up for this benefit which helped raise money to benefit the Maryland Transplant Resource Center.  Plans have been made to hold this memorial jam every year on a Sunday, near the date of Jason’s birthday.

In November, the Bluefish appeared at the “Blues for Tots" benefit for the Marine Corp League’s Annual Toys for Tots drive at the Elks Club in Hagerstown, MD.  The event, which was organized by Ron Spruill of Ronnie Ray & the Coolers, featured seven regional blues acts.  It provided the community with a good way to help some less fortunate children have a nice Christmas while enjoying great live blues music.

All in all, 2007 was another fine year for Rudy & the Bluefish.   The group is looking forward to the opportunities that will arise during 2008. 

Remember . . . whether you come out to jam or just to sit back and groove, you’ll always have a great time with Rudy and the boys.  To be sure that you are a part of the good times, you can subscribe to Rudy’s email list to receive Bluefish updates by sending an email (subject: “subscribe”) to RudyBluefish@HotMail.com

Be sure to check out Rudy’s Wall of Fame for pictures from many of the band’s past engagements.

Remember, it doesn't have to be Blues Fest weekend to jam with The Bluefish.  Let the band know if you're a blues player at any regular gig and we'll work you in for a couple of tunes.  Be sure to click on the Bluefish "Schedule" link to get more details regarding all upcoming engagements.

    RUDY WILL BE LOOKING FOR YOU IN 2008!
 

SPECIAL THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOLKS
WHO MAKE IT ALL WORTHWHILE FOR RUDY AND THE BOYS!

• Willie Dixon, the great song writer and bluesman who inspired so many blues musicians to "keep the blues alive!"
• Michael ("The Wildman") Holtzman, former lead vocalist and drummer, for all the energy, talent, friendship, and good times that he brought to the band from 1999 to 2005
• Jason "Cool Hand" Chalfant, former guitarist, vocalist & webmaster for the Bluefish who will always be missed, but never forgotten, for his sincere kindness, talent and many contributions to the band.
• "Robbie B" (the band's first bass player) who designed the Rudy logo
• "Fast Eddie" Kight (the band's second bass player) for keeping us in the groove for four years.
• "Diamond" Mike Jackson (the band's third bass player) for keeping us in the groove for four more years
• "FunkDog" (Michael Clark, the band's fourth bass player and hardest working man in show business since James Brown) for all of his contributions (especially the giant stuffed fish)!
• Laird Bush (former Bluefish guitarist) for keeping Tom EB's PC up and running for web site updates
• Denny “DaKid” Mickley (former Bluefish guitarist) for his cooperative, easy going approach
• All the other former Bluefish (Steve Blackstock, Tom Taylor, Lenny Jones, Eddie Keller, Andy Wallace & Dave Shendow) and the other fine musicians (Ragan Potts, Denny Mickley, Jimmy Chalfant, Kenny Jackson, Denny Jackson, and the late Billy Jones) who filled in for absent Bluefish when the need arose.
• Shane O'Neill for his assistance at the 2005-2007 harmonica workshops and his hot harp playing every time he shows up at a gig for an impromptu jam with the Bluefish
• Steve Kemp for hooking us up with Chris Crawford (who was MIA for 30+ years)
• "Uncle Fred" for producing live Bluefish recordings and for featuring the band on WKMZ FM97.5.
• Jimmy Foltz for helping the band keep the web site up and running in 2004
• Ryan Deal, president of Pentester Technologies for all of his expert assistance and training to support the band’s web site
• Mike Luipersbeck for designing and setting up the band's first web site in 1999 and volunteering to help us again when the need arose in 2004.
• Mark Garland for all of the excellent photography work he has done for the band.
• "Ssparx" for his ongoing photographic contributions, PC help and moral support.
• "Larry B" for featuring the band on WKMZ FM 97.5 and his great introductions at shows . . . not to mention his enthusiasm and singing at jam sessions.
• Carl Disque, Karen Giffin, Laura Likely, Dave Fitzwater, Bob Collins, Keith Dagliano, Maggie Shorb and everyone associated with The Western Maryland Blues Fest for keeping the blues alive in Hagerstown and believing in the Bluefish.
• Fred Knode and Brian Marquiss for their continued support and fantastic event organizing.
• Kathy & Jay Reeder for helping us plan a TWO-DAY Bluefish Blues Fest All-Star Jam Session at Hempen Hill BBQ in 2007!
• Cynthia Moler (of Coldwell Banker) for having the first area real estate auction featuring the Bluefish
• Randy for publishing Bluefish dates in the Night Life Digest and donating  his lighting equipment and time at the Blues for Tots benefit concert
• Tim Rowland (Herald Mail Columnist) for his insightful articles, support and kind words.
• Dennis Walker for organizing the Freedom Blues Festivals in Cumberland, MD.
• Mary Ellen and "Fast Eddie" Galvin for connecting the Bluefish to Baltimore.
• Ted Chapman for his video work and moral/physical support.
• Evette Gardner for her 6/01 Herald Mail Newspaper quote which indicated that "Rudy & the Bluefish was the most awesome of the bands at the 2001 Western Maryland Blues Fest."
• Ritchie Hannon III for putting together the annual Summer Bash benefit concert
• Ron Spruill for organizing the annual Blues for Tots benefit concert
• Fred Russell for his ongoing photographic contributions and his input in the form of blues recordings
• Sharon S, Julie G, Chris C and Jake W for keeping us in “The LOOP”
• The late Rick Hannon, for being a true friend and inspiration.
• Last, but not least . . .    ALL OF OUR FRIENDS (listeners and musicians) who support and jam with the band at each engagement . . . without you, there would be no Bluefish!