John Németh

CTRB is thrilled to present this year’s Soul Blues Male Artist award,  John Németh ! 

John’s musical journey began as a teenager in Boise Idaho. He was first drawn to the hard-edged hip hop sounds and rock bands of the day, until he discovered the Junior Wells and Buddy Guy classic, “Hoodoo Man Blues”. This inspired him to form Fat John & the 3 Slims, still a legend in the Boise area. John played and sang locally, often opening for nationally touring blues acts.He quickly gained recognition and released his own recordings, “The Jack Of Harps” (2002) and “Come And Get It” (2004).

In 2004, John moved to San Francisco, joining Anson Funderburgh and the Rockets. Németh immersed himself in the deep musical waters of the Bay area, absorbing more of the soul and funk grooves of what he calls “the early East Bay Grease sound” of San Francisco and Oakland. He signed with Blind Pig Records, releasing his acclaimed national debut “Magic Touch” (2007). He collaborated with Elvin Bishop on the Grammy-nominated “The Blues Rolls On” and released more hit albums, earning multiple Blues Music Award nominations.

Németh released two more albums on the Blind Pig label, “Love Me Tonight” (2009) & “Name The Day (2010), both hitting #6 on the Billboard Blues Chart, and beginning his long string of prestigious award nominations and wins. He followed up with two independently released live albums in 2012, “Blues Live” and “Soul Live.”

In 2013, John moved to Memphis, working with classic Memphis Soul band The Bo-Keys to create “Memphis Grease” (2014), which debut at #4 on the Billboard Blues Chart. John won the 2014 BMA for Best Soul Blues Male Artist, and “Memphis Grease” won Best Soul Blues Album in 2015.

In 2017 Németh released an original album, “Feelin’ Freaky”, on his own Memphis Grease label, crushing genre and style barriers, blending blues and R&B, with contemporary sounds of hip hop. The same year, he was part of a side project “The Love Light Orchestra Featuring John Nemeth”, a 10 piece band who recorded, “Live from Bar DKDC in Memphis TN”.

In 2019 John released “Stronger Than Strong” with his seasoned road band of young gun players, The Blue Dreamers, featuring 19-year-old guitar phenom, Jon Hay, drummer Danny Banks and Matt Wilson on bass, again demonstrating his uncanny ability to blend retro and modern blues and soul into compelling music that is simultaneously old and new.

John is an engaging, entertaining, multi-talented, multi-award winning musician, and we are so fortunate to have him and his band as our 2024 Headliner!

Solomon Hicks, the 29-year-old guitar phenom from New York City invested in music from a very young age and started playing guitar at six years old. Growing up in Harlem he was constantly surrounded by music. Solomon witnessed performances that made a significant impact on his ambitions as a musician and he says: “When you’re around good musicians, it gives you that spark”.

I wanted to be the one who knew the most riffs and drew on a lot of knowledge so I could play anything with anyone. Solomon won the 2021 Blues Music Awards for Best Emerging Artist for his 2020 CD release, Harlem. The set, produced/recorded by multiple Grammy Award winner Kirk Yano (Miles Davis, Public Enemy, Mariah Carey), showcases Hicks as a writer, player and interpreter.

He was WXPN’s “Artist To Watch” for August 2020, His original song “421 South Main” made the Top 20 Blues Songs of 2020 on Spotify, and the song “What the Devil Loves” still gets spins on “Sirius Bluesville” Radio. He has performed on KISS Kruise V and Joe Bonamassa’s Blues Alive at Sea [2017 & 2019]. He's shared stages with Buddy Guy, Samantha Fish, Tony Bennett, Jeff Beck, Ringo Starr, Jimmie Vaughn, Beth Hart, Mavis Staples, Robert Cray, Eric Gales, Norman Nardini, and many others.

Solomon is a supporter of Young Musicians and The Blues Foundation. He teaches music for the Children's Aid Society, working with the Harlem Arts Alliance and the New York City Jazzmobile.

Lee-Ann Lovelace is a singer/songwriter from Waterbury, CT who has performed on hundreds of stages throughout New England and beyond since 2004. She'll charm you with hints of jazz, dig into some roots and Americana, then leave you floored with powerful soul, rock and blues vocals all in one performance. This versatility holds true in her original compositions, and her original band spans from 6-10 pieces depending on the venue. The band's torque is fueled by her powerful vocals, deep grooves, vocal harmonies, and a horn/woodwind section that hits like a sonic left hook.

Lee-Ann's career began in a variety of original and cover bands from CT who all won listeners choice awards from the The Hartford Advocate and various local band competitions. In 2021 she won the pilot episode of Vocal Match for best singer, and she is now recording her original songs under her own name. Her first two singles "Dirty Water" and "Drink it Down" are available on YouTube and all streaming platforms.

Lee-Ann has collaborated with the late, legendary producer Paul Leka, and she has opened for bands like Orleans, Rock & Roll Hall-of-Famer Ronnie Spector, and most recently and notably, Christine Ohlman, "The Beehive Queen." She has done extensive studio work throughout CT and NY as well. Back to The Garden 1969, the US's premier Woodstock tribute band out of Yonkers, NY, added her to their full-time line-up in 2020. She travels far and wide with this band, but you can also find her singing with any number of different duos, trios, or larger ensembles when she isn't playing with her original outfit.

Her original band for the CT Rhythm and Blues Festival this year will consist of her full 10-piece line-up

Formed in 2017, this dynamic band quickly made a name for itself in Connecticut’s vibrant

music scene, hitting the ground running with a deep passion for traditional Blues and American

Roots Music. Blending original compositions with a mix of classic, traditional, and obscure

covers, they’ve crafted a sound that is truly their own, standing out with fresh interpretations that honor the rich history of the genres while infusing them with a modern, high-energy spirit. Their unique take on blues and roots music is a testament to their dedication to the art form, drawing on influences from the past and present, yet always pushing boundaries.

From their earliest gigs in local clubs to a now expanded region of venues and festivals, the

band has been a consistent crowd-pleaser. Their electrifying live shows pack the dance floor,

with every set list showcasing both their musical versatility and their deep connection to their

audience. Fans can always expect a blend of powerful originals and carefully selected covers

that range from the well-known to the pleasantly unexpected.

One of the hallmarks of this band’s appeal is their ability to seamlessly mix gritty, hard-hitting

blues with elements of roots and rock. Their original songs, in particular, have become fan

favorites, earning praise for their authentic lyrics and heartfelt melodies. Each performance is

driven by a blue-collar ethos, with raw emotion and musical precision that resonate deeply with

listeners from all walks of life.

Their hard work and dedication to their craft culminated in a major achievement in 2022 when

they won the Connecticut Blues Society Challenge, a prestigious honor that sent them to

compete on a national stage in Memphis, Tennessee in 2023. Their trip to Memphis was a

career-defining moment, allowing them to showcase their talents to a broader audience and

prove that their blend of blues and roots music can hold its own among the best in the world.

This experience only fueled their passion and drive, setting the stage for even greater things to

come.

Now, with an ever-growing fanbase and a reputation for putting on unforgettable live

performances, the band is looking ahead to the future with excitement. They are thrilled to be

gearing up for new projects, including their highly anticipated return to The IBC in Memphis in

2025. With their trademark "Blue Collar Blues" sound, they remain committed to delivering

music that speaks to the soul and keeps the spirit of blues alive and kicking. Whether your a

longtime fan or new to their music, one thing is certain: when this band takes the stage, they let

the music do the talking, and they always leave the crowd wanting more.

Let The Music Play!