On Friday May 4, Albert Cummings, who breaks every cliche associated with the blues, will be performing at Chan's of Woonsocket.
A Williamston, Massachusetts native, Cummings has made New England his home all of his life and plays some powerful music which comes natural to him, but then again, so does swinging a hammer while constructing one of his award winning built homes.
His father taught him his first three chords on the guitar but at age 12 Cummings switched to playing banjo and became a big fan of bluegrass music. He threw himself into the pursuit going to festivals and winning several picking contests in high school. Until he heard Stevie Ray Vaughan's early recordings and was floored by the virtuosity. He went to see Vaughan perform while in college and returned to playing guitar with a whole new outlook.
At the age of 27, when most are usually established in the music business, Cummings decided he was going to go for it. He had already set up a family construction business and felt that it was time to give music a shot.
A break out performance sharing the bill with Double Trouble, the late Stevie Ray Vaughan's rhythm section, resulted in bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton who volunteered to play on and produce Cummings debut recording "From the Heart" (Under the radar). Cummings tips his hat to BB King in his funky version of "Rock Me Baby" on this album and BB King dubbed Cummings a great guitarist.
Soon after his first album, Cummings was signed with Blind Pig Records and recorded his second album entitled "True to Yourself". Produced by the legendary Jim Gaines, this album includes all original recordings, emotional vocals and showcases Cummings songwriting chops.
Tours and shows soon followed with blues legend BB King, Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter and others. The audiences were grateful for the opportunity to be rocked hard by a man who captures the dynamics of both rock and blues styles when he performs live.
In 2006, "Working Man Blues" on Blind Pig Records was a blockbuster release. "Working Man Blues" a cover of Merle Haggard's blue collar standard, the swinging Texas blues of "Please" and "Party Right Here" which is a barroom boogie classic all show variety beyond the typical slow blues sound.
The Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, Massachusetts was the local venue for Cummings March 2008 live recording of "Feel So Good". His Friday night anthem, "Party Right Here" opens it up and keeps it rolling from there including his version of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll". On drums is Aaron Scapin, bassist Daniel Broad and Cummings playing his hot Fender Strat.
Cummings has expressed his thoughts and dreams in his music.
Showtimes: 8:00 P.M. $25.00 and 10:00 P.M. $20.00 or $25.00 for both
