2010 Best Blues Performer
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38.91% Left Lane Cruiser*
Others with Votes (more than one):
Sum Morz
2009 Winner: Left Lane Cruiser
2008 Winner: Left Lane Cruiser
2007 Winner: Left Lane Cruiser
2006 Winner: Left Lane Cruiser
2005 Winner: G-Money
1998 Winner: Lil's Funk-n' Blues Revue
1997 Winner: Lil's Funk-n' Blues Revue
* On the Ballot
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"I went October and he went January," Left Lane Cruiser drummer Brenn Beck said backstage. "I had a little girl and he got a little boy." "Yeah, I got his daughter's future husband back at my house right now," quipped singer/guitarist Joe Evans, prompting Beck to mumble something about a broken arm. If's there's a success story in Fort Wayne from the past 10 years, at least as far as artistically relevant music goes, it's the ragged garage blues duo Left Lane Cruiser, winners of this year's Best Blues Duo Whammy. Winners of, well, a huge number of Whammy awards from the past six or so years and the only proper Fort Wayne band to have their records released by a classic label. They've also toured the world, had their music featured in HBO television shows and ... well, you get it, they're the real deal: a band with fans around the world. "We stash all those things in Brenn's basement, lined up on the wall," Evans said in reference to the dozen or more awards they've won in recent years. "Down where we practice." The conversation then turns back to, as Evans calls them, "The Little Left Lane Cruisers." "We used to go anywhere people wanted us, playing all the time, but we just can't do that anymore. At least not right now," Beck explained when asked about upcoming plans to support their new record, Junkyard Speed Ball (already this writer's favorite work from the duo). "It's a softer sound. We did it with [White Stripes producer] Jim Diamond again and got John from the Black Diamond Heavies on three tracks," Beck said about the album. Before watching the boys, I had one more question. Thinking back to 2005-2007 or so, back when the Fort Wayne music scene was suddenly booming and full of new talent, I was curious to know what the Cruisers (maybe the biggest newish band from that era) thought of the Fort Wayne scene of 2011. "Ahhh," Beck said reluctantly. "I think it's slipping a bit right now. But, ya know, it goes in waves. The bands are great right now but the people aren't coming out like they were a couple of years ago." Beck then pointed at my recording device, giving it a bit of lip: "So shame on you! Get out of your damn houses and go to shows!" "Yeah, come out and get drunk," Evans added. "But seriously, on February 26 we have an album release show at Wooden Nickel. Then on March 18 we have a show at the Brass Rail with John from the Black Diamond Heavies playing on stage with us, as well as with his new band," Beck said in closing. "So suck it up and come on out!" (Greg Locke) |
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