TOP 10 FINALIST - 2005 International Blues Challenge When Debbie Ritter and 4-40 Blues take the stage, you can expect a high-energy, impassioned performance that leaves you wanting more. With a blend of eclectic original blues and blues favorites, this act bridges the gap between traditional blues and contemporary styling of R&B and jazz influenced Americana that must be experienced. With the release of their debut CD, Bluesday Afternoon, Debbie Ritter and 4-40 Blues have established themselves as a true creative force in the blues world. Sublime and powerful… Debbie Ritter & 4-40 Blues deliver. 4-40 Blues’ tight, dynamic rhythm section, fueled by Tom Cat’s smokin’, Memphis style guitar provide the scorching undercarriage for Debbie’s powerhouse performance. Debbie’s natural approach makes her one of the few female blues entertainers who feels right at home on any stage whether she is belting out a greasy, gutsy, roof-shaking rocker or melting her audience down with her smooth, sultry, smoke-filled torch ballads. 4-40 Blues’ electrified blues style captures the audience then feeds the fire, turning up the heat as Debbie’s soulful side emerges displaying a full range of emotion driven passion. This blues act transcends the “show”, then lures the audience into the experience with Debbie’s mesmerizing performance balanced by her down-home delivery. BAND MEMBERS BIO: Debbie Ritter – Blues Artist/Writer Born in north Mississippi and raised in Memphis, TN. Debbie has been performing since the age of nine and is no stranger to Gospel, R&B, & Blues roots music. Debbie, blues artist and writer, was voted Music City Blues 2003/2004 Bluesey Award winner for “Blues Entertainer of the Year”& “Female Blues Vocalist”. Her debut CD … Bluesday Afternoon, which was co-written with her guitarist Tom Whisenhunt also received Music City Blues 2003 Bluesey award for “Blues CD of the Year”. Tom Whisenhunt – Blues Guitarist/Writer Tom, who goes by the name “TomCat”, is originally from Memphis, TN. TomCat is a veteran club guitarist and songwriter. He co-wrote the debut CD … Bluesday Afternoon with Debbie Ritter, which won the Music City Blues 2003 Bluesey Award for “Blues CD of the Year”. TomCat was also voted Music City Blues 2003 Bluesey Award winner for “Blues Guitarist of the Year”. Brannan Lane-Drums Brannan Lane draws from a wide range of influences and has 30 years of experience and fluent in many styles of music. This short bio illustrates some of the diverse elements of Lane’s musical palette. Lane has performed in the US, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean. He worked 15 years with Grand Ole Opry Star and Sony recording artist Skeeter Davis. Lane has performed and recorded with Bluziana recording artist Big Al & the Heavyweights, Texanna recording artists The Ballistic Pintos, Nightfly recording artists Delicious Blues Stew and performed with Louisiana Red Hot recording artist Chubby Carrier. Lane has performed in the “ Legends of the Blues” concerts and jammed with the likes of Henry Gray, Billy Cox, and Dean Hall just to name a few. Brannan Lane has also been nominated four times for the Music City Blues Awards for “Blues Drummer of the Year”. Band Members • Debbie Ritter - Lead vocals • Tom Whisenhunt, a.k.a. "Tomcat" - Lead Guitar/vocals • Brannan Lane -drums •Mark Hendricks - bass guitar Booking & info: Crystal Crawford Blue-Eyed Booking & Promotions Ph: 615.887.1169 Web: http://blueeyedbooking.com