Garvin Gate Blues Festival

Tee Dee Young, a blues legend in his own time. He has definitely got the blues and he loves “firing down on that guitar”. While playing his own unique style of the Blues, his dynamic stage presence, exciting harmony and energy will put you in the mood for dancing! Tee Dee Young, a native of Lexington Kentucky, has been performing and playing for audiences for years. He got his start playing the guitar sitting by the railroad tracks and at the early age of thirteen he was exposed to the life of blues learning the basics mentored by an elderly gentlemen, the late Mr. Harrison Coleman. He would pick up singing from his late father gospel singer Leonard Young and he would later be influenced by his late brother George Young who would constantly reminded him to never change his style in which he plays the blues. At the age of fourteen he formed his own band and throughout the rest of his teens Tee Dee Young would perform every chance he could get; in basements, private parties, talent shows and entering through back club doors. By the time he was twenty he was performing in prestigious venues such as: The Cotton Club, Albert King’s Club, Kington Mines and Club Zero. Further down the road he would make appearances at B.B. King’s Club & Isaac Hayes’ Club. He would later find himself opening up for/performing with legendary and acclaimed Blues and R&B musicians such as: Johnny Rawls, Guitar Shorty, Big Bill Morgan, Albert King, Lil “Howling ” Wolf, Sir “Mack” Rice, Eddie Floyd, Malina Moye, Al Green, Denise Lasailes, Aretha Franklin, Cameo, Lakeside, James Brown, Alexander O’Neal, Vesta Williams, Miki Howard and many others. What makes Tee Dee Young unique is the style in which he plays the Blues. Young’s playing and singing are authentic to the genre but oblivious to current industry trends. His guitar is a weapon, wielded with total authority, assailing the listener with his sheer virtuosity!! He writes and perform his own music, while still being able to maintain his originality covering music written by other artist and his love for pleasing his audience, while he’s “firing down on that guitar!”

Louisville native Tanita Gaines began her music career as a child, singing gospel music in the children’s choir, and performed her first professional gig at the age of 16. With a voice often compared to Aretha Franklin’s, Gaines has since shared her vocal talents with many groups and opened for such legendary acts as James Brown and Koko Taylor. She also sings for the Tabernacle Choir of St. Stephen Baptist Church in Louisville. Though her range of vocal styles and her knowledge of music are both vast, Tanita contends that her roots are always firmly planted in gospel music. The Accused, a powerhouse group providing smooth rhythms to bolster Gaines’ lead vocals, includes bassist William Simmons, Jerry Hawshaw on drums, and guitarists Kevin Reese and Kevin Keller. CDbaby: Tanita Gaines - 'Another City Day'

The Slingshots have been featured on many compilations as well as their own album called 'Feels so Right' on Raucous Records last year. The Slingshots are an exciting trio from Sheffield. The mainstay of their repertoire is classic mid-fifties style rockabilly but, unlike most bands of that genre, they also cover a wide range of other territory including blues, country-boogie, and "torch ballads". They even find room for Frankie Laine style cowboy melodrama. Their unusually high level of musicianship, great material (including many original songs) and slightly tounge-in-cheek approach is rapidly making them many new friends both at home and on the contitnent. This, their debut CD, is eagerly awaited by their growing band of followers. The Slingshots are: Steve "Big Cleveland" Russell: lead vocal & Rhythm Guitar. Since 1984 when he formed the first incarnation of The Slingshots with J. D. England (see below) and bassist Jonny Wood, Steve has been an integral part of many bands in the rock 'n' roll, blues and hillbilly fields - usually in collaboration with J. D. An awsomely powerful rand versatile singer, he is equally at home with Presleyesque rockers, hillbilly yodels and low-down blues. His solid guitar work helps the band achieve its infectious, jumpin' rhythm. J. D. "Slim" England: lead guitar and backing vocal. J. D.'s musical pedigree closely parallels that of Steve and his involvements with many bands over the years are too numerous to mention here. A big fan of the blues in all its forms, he has fused his many influences to create a style that is his alone. J. D. is a truly stunning guitarist who combines genuine virtuosity with controlled aggression and subtlety. Graham "Cousin Stumpy" McElearney: double bass and backing vocals. Graham is a classically trained bass player who has found it surprisingly easy to add rockabilly slapping techniques to his intimate knowledge of the instrument. A natural musician, his previous musical involvements have ranged from orchestral work through western swing to ambient music. His exciting bass work is the backbone of the band's sound and ensures they really "GIT IT ON!" Make sure you catch them when they come to your town!