Formed in
1992 by original
members Scottie
"Mad Dog" Blinn
(guitar/vocal) and Tom
Essa (drums),
the Mississippi
Mudsharks
were one of the top roots and blues acts out of San Diego during
the 90's. During that time the band racked up 3 consecutive "Best Blues Band"
awards from the San Diego Music Awards, 2 #1 CD's on the CrossCut label in Europe,
played over 300 nights a year, and toured relentlessly in the
States and in Europe.
Following
a split in 1999, the members of the band went
on to solo successes for the next 6 years. In 2006
Original members Essa and Blinn
reformed and put out a new CD titled "Train Rolls On", which received a "Best Blues Album" nomination at the San Diego
Music Awards, and went to
#3 on the CrossCut Blues Charts in Europe. Two highly successful
European tours follwed through 2007.
2008 has brought together a powerhouse
version of the band that includes Eric "Jailhouse" Von Herzen (Social Distortion, Walter
Trout, Rhythm Lords) on
harmonica and vocals, and Greg
"Whiskey Willy" Willis
(Iron Butterfly, Candye Kane) on bass, both of whom have been
in various versions of the band
throughout the years. The new CD, "Voodoo Doll" was recorded, and the band just completed
an extensive 8 week European tour to promote the CD.
For a detailed
history of the band, click here History & Achievements
CD "Train Rolls On"
nominated "Best Blues Album" SDMA's (Mudsharks) #3 CrossCut Blues Chart, Germany
2006
"Best Blues" San Diego
Music Awards nominations (Mudsharks,
Tiki Torchers)
'94-2001
CD "Mississippi Mud"
nominated "Best Blues Album" SDMA's (Mud)
2002
"Best Blues" San Diego
Music Awards (Mudsharks)
'95, '96, '97
"Best Blues" Reader's
Poll nomination (Mudsharks)
2000
"Artist Of The Year"
San Diego Music Awards nomination (Scottie
Blinn)
'99
CD "Hoodoo Charm" (Scottie Blinn & The Tiki Torchers-'99) #4 Crosscut Blues Chart, Germany '99,
nominated "Best Blues Album" San Diego Music Awards
2000
"Band Of The Month Sept."
Cologne, Germany-Talkin' Blues '98...ranked 2nd for the whole
year (Mudsharks)
"Band Of The Year/Jim Croce
Music Award" (Mudsharks)
'97
CD "Traditional Heavy"
(Mississippi Mudsharks-'96) #1 Crosscut Blues Chart , Germany
'97
CD "Workin' For Nickels
& Dimes" (Mississippi Mudsharks-'94) #1 Crosscut Blues Chart , Germany
'96
Tours:
2008 Belgium, Holland, Austria,
Germany, Switzerland (8 weeks/ 34 shows) (MUDSHARKS)
2007 Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg,
Switzerland (Summer 6 weeks/ 25 shows) (MUDSHARKS)
2006 Germany, Belgium, Holland
(8 weeks/ 34 shows) (MUDSHARKS)
2004 Germany, Switzerland, Belgium,
Holland, Austria (Fall leg--5 weeks/ 28 shows) (MUD)
2004 Belgium, Holland, Germany
(Summer leg--2 1/2 weeks/ 12 shows) (MUD)
2003 Germany, Switzerland, Belgium,
Austria (4 1/2 weeks/ 27 shows) (MUD)
2001 Germany, Switzerland, Austria
(5 weeks/ 37 shows) (TIKI TORCHERS)
'99 Germany, Switzerland, Belgium
(8 weeks/ 44 shows) (MUDSHARKS)
'98 Germany, Switzerland (7 weeks/
35 shows) (MUDSHARKS)
'96 Germany (31/2 weeks/ 12 shows)
(MUDSHARKS)
Have
Played With (personally or on same bill): Billy Gibbons (ZZ Top), Brian Setzer, Dr. John,
Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Willie Nelson, Buddy Guy,
George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars, Tito & Tarantula,
Dick Dale, Social
Distortion, Walter Trout, Iron Butterfly, Candye Kane, John Mayall,
Coco Montoya, The Paladins, Koko Taylor, Little Charlie &
The Nightcats, Duke Robillard ...the list can go on and on.....
