MOUNT MORRIS – Chicago Blues Band, Howard and the White Boys make their debut performance on the Band Shell Stage on July 9 from 7-9 p.m.
Howard and the White Boys are considered one of Chicago's finest live blues acts of the last two decades. Mentored by Buddy Guy (who has taken the band on several Midwestern tours as his opening act, and appeared on their third CD, "The Big $core"), HWB's new CD, "Rosa's Lounge," bears witness to the power and raw energy of the group when they perform live on stage.
Howard & the White Boys began jamming together just for fun, but their fast-growing popularity soon convinced them they could make a career of it. After only a few months, they got their first big break by opening for B.B. King. Their reputation grew in Chicago and they began performing with the biggest names in blues: Koko Taylor, Otis Rush, Albert King, Junior Wells, Lonnie Brooks, Luther Allison, Bo Diddley, and Chuck Berry.
The group made two highly acclaimed recordings, “Strung Out On The Blues” and “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner?” for Los Angeles based Mighty Tiger Records. They began traveling extensively across the United States and their growing popularity captured the attention of Philadelphia based Evidence Records.
“The Big $core” was the first of three successful discs released by Evidence, and the band wasted no time in promoting it via the first of many trips to European countries such as Belgium, France, Italy, Holland, Switzerland, Norway, Germany, Luxembourg, Lithuania, and England. Evidence released two more well-received HWB discs, “Live at Chord On Blues,” and “Made in Chicago,” which showcased the group's versatility and encompassed the funk, R & B, and rock styles that have become Howard & the White Boys trademarks.
The new live CD, “Rosa's Lounge,” is a testament to the power of the group when they perform live. The band is now focusing on touring to support the new CD and working on material for their next one.
Howard and the White Boys are: Howard McCullum, bass and vocals; Rocco Calipari, guitar; Pete Galanis, guitar; and Jim Christopulos, drums.
Be sure to come uptown early to visit the nearby Mt. Morris Community Farmers Market, open from 4-7 p.m. every Friday through October. Please bring a blanket or chair, or enjoy the new benches and join the fun on our beautiful, historic campus in the center of Mt. Morris, two blocks south of Rt. 64 on Wesley Avenue and enjoy the free Blues concert. In the event of rain, the whole show moves to the Pinecrest Grove Community Center, located at 500 Evergreen Ln., 7 blocks south of Rt. 64 on McKendrie St. at the same times.
