Floyd Fest 7/25/08 Hill Holler
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Artist Bio:
Izzy & Chris were united at an open stage in the summer of 2006. The duo performed a few songs together and got a standing ovation from the crowd. From that moment forward, it was evident the chemistry, the love of the blues, and playing from the heart, will keep the two together "Preachin The Blues" for many years to come. Only a few weeks after meeting they were main stage performers at the 2006 West Virginia Blues Festival.
Izzy, born in Weirton, West Virginia, began playing guitar at the age of nine. At the age of 17 while visiting New Orleans LA everything changed for Izzy when he purchased a Robert Johnson album at a flea market off of Bourbon Street. Since that moment Izzy has dedicated his life and music to the blues.
Chris, born in St. Louis, Missouri, began playing piano at the age of seven. It was not until later in life he began playing harmonica. After playing open stages for a couple of years, Chris got a break. He became the harmonica player for the late, great Pittsburgh guitarist "Smokin' Joe" Bisgella. After Joe's death in 2002, Chris committed himself to playing music.
Izzy's journey with the blues continued as he played countless blues clubs and bars from Pittsburgh to Memphis, and throughout the Southeast. Highlighting this point in Izzy's journey was winning best solo acoustic act at the Western Pennsylvania Blues Society Competition in 2006 and then becoming a finalist at the International Blues Competition held in Memphis.
Although Chris' first love is the blues, it's his ability to play many styles of music that's made him the hardest working harmonica player in the Pittsburgh area. Past endeavors include performing with harmonica legend Greg "Fingers" Taylor and playing full time harmonica for two successful local bands, the honky tonk band 706 Union and Ms. Fredi and the Blue Faze Band. Chris is also an official endorser for Seydel Harmonicas
In May of 2007, Izzy & Chris signed a recording contract with 80/20 Music Entertainment and have finished recording their first release together titled "Preachin The Blues...Vol 1" at Grammy Award winning studio Audible Images. Since signing with 80/20, Izzy & Chris have also had the opportunity to play live with such legends as Buckwheat Zydeco, Watermelon Slim, Keb' Mo, The Robert Cray Band, The Gibson Brothers, Dale Watson, Shemeika Copeland, Sonny Landreth, Hubert Sumlin & The Nighthawks, The Hackensaw Boys and The Blind Boys of Alabama.
Izzy & Chris have been winning over many fans with their AMAZING live performances. They most recently won over the West Virginia Blues Society judges taking first place honors among the solo/duo acts at the Appalachian Blues Competition in Charleston WV which earned them a spot in the 2008 International Blues Competition in Memphis TN.
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=129361
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