The Cadillac Cats, Neil Tapp, Ben Brandt and Soul Miners Union, and Chris LaRose and the Hex Highway Blues Band are all set for the Billtown Blues Association’s annual fundraiser Sunday, November 6th, at the Genetti Hotel in downtown Williamsport. The music kicks off at 4:00 p.m. and will parallel the organization’s silent auction, where attendees can bid on donated items as part of the BBA’s fundraising effort.
A portion of the proceeds will assist Neil Tapp and Chris LaRose and the Hex Highway Blues Band towards their own fundraising effort as they venture to Memphis in January to participate in the prestigious weeklong International Blues Challenge (IBC).
Becky Wool, Shawn Strickland, Urie Kline, Garrett Gaetano and Blair Mitcheltree comprise Cadillac Cats and are themselves 2021 IBC alumni. The “Cats” have grown to be one of the region’s most sought-after bands, playing prominent venues in and around the Susquehanna Valley. Their shows consistently deliver solid, high-energy performances with a tight Kline-Gaetano rhythm section, rousing vocals by Becky Wool, and meaningful contributions by Mitcheltree on guitar and Strickland on harp. The band refers to the BBA as “a very special group of people who create opportunities for others, and we, as musicians, are very grateful.”
Neil Tapp, the winner of the 2022 BBA Audition in the solo/duo category, draws from the influences of Rev. Gary Davis, Jorma Kaukomen, Doc Watson, Brownie McGhee, and, as Dave Bromberg stated after their first time playing together, “…sounds like we went to the school.” Tapp is referred to as a “finger-picking wizard” who can respectfully and tastefully combine multi-genre styles such as country blues, ragtime, folk, and early jazz into his own distinguishable sound. Neil says he is thankful to have the opportunity to play to the BBA audiences who love the music as much as he does.
New to the Williamsport scene but not new to entertaining vast audiences all over Pennsylvania and beyond is Ben Brandt and the Soul Miners Union. 2020 and 2021 nominees for the Central PA Music Hall of Fame in the Blues-Rock category, plus a stellar 2021 release, “Back to Life,” produced by Josh Smith (Joe Bonamassa), have garnered them far-reaching notice. Ben and the Soul Miners Union have shared the stage with a diverse group of notables such as Shemekia Copeland, JD Simo, and Gary Hoey, to mention a few. Liam Galiano (bass and vocals), Joe Shattls (drums and vocals) join Ben (guitar and lead vocals) as a powerful trio who will not soon be forgotten.
Chris LaRose and the Hex Highway Blues Band will close out this special event. Chris (guitar and lead vocals), Emily Neblock (bass and vocals), and Tyler Mangold (drums) have been demonstrating their unique style of blues over a vast geography in and around Pennsylvania, headlining many summer events and growing their fanbase. From the moment they step on stage, it is obvious the threesome takes their responsibility to the venue and the audience seriously, creating an aura of curiosity and anticipation. Chris will be returning to the IBCs for the 2nd time, as in 2019, represented the BBA in the solo/duo category.
Fall Into the Blues remains a necessary and important event with the silent auction fundraising effort. A non-paid, all-volunteer organization established in 1990, the mission is to preserve the cultural and historical prominence of blues music as well as to provide quality events to showcase the area’s remarkable talent; those who have invested their time and effort to study and perform within this valuable art form. Tables with donated items will be arranged adjacent to the concert area for easy access to review and place your bids. Winning “bidders” will be announced at the event conclusion. A portion of the proceeds will assist the musicians traveling to Memphis, Tenn., in January, as well as support other live music events produced by the Billtown Blues Association throughout the year. http://www.billtownblues.org http://www.blues.org.
