Outstanding Artists to perform
Johnny Burgin
Coast to Coast Chicago Blues
Johnny’s known as road warrior who’s on tour close to 200 nights a year across the States, Mexico and Europe. But if you’d told him this would be his career when he was in High School, he wouldn’t have believed you. Johnny grew up in Mississippi and South Carolina and went to University of Chicago with the intention of becoming a writer. When a friend took him out to a West Side ghetto club to hear the blues singer Tail Dragger, it was a conversion moment.
The blues came to life for Johnny and he fell headfirst into the vibrant Chicago blues scene. Choosing the blues clubs over the library, Johnny eagerly absorbed the lessons from the blues masters who practiced their craft nightly. By persistence and practice, Johnny gained a spot in Tail Dragger’s band, and started gigging and recording with traditional blues veterans like Sam Lay, Billy Boy Arnold, and Pinetop Perkins.
By the late 90s, Johnny was working regularly in Chicagoland blues clubs under his own name. Johnny started a Monday night residency at The Smoke Daddy in Wicker Park, featuring vocalist Jimmy Burns. The band featured other future blues notables who were also at beginning of their careers, such as Kenny Smith on drums and Martin Lang on harp, and they created quite a buzz. They packed the club every Monday with a younger, hip crowd, as well as blues veterans stopping by to sit in such as Dave Meyers, Jesse Fortune, Barkin’ Bill, etc. Their success led to a record deal with Delmark and the first of several European tours.
Blues producer Dick Shurman wrote, “Johnny’s skills, passion and commitment are undiminished.” In a few short years, Johnny cranked out the Cali/Chicago blues mashups greetings from Greaseland, Neoprene Fedora, the Howlin’ Wolf tribute Howlin’ at Greaseland (nominated for a BMA for Best Traditional Blues Recording) and Johnny Burgin Live, which featured blues legend Charlie Musselwhite. Johnny Burgin Live was nominated for a Blues Blast Best Live Recording Award for 2019. Johnny’s produced eleven CDs and dozens more as a sideman. He’s recorded with veterans like Johnny Sansone, Paul DeLay, Bob Corritore, and Jimmy Burns as well as up and comers like Aki Kumar, Joel Astley, and Ben Levin.
Johnny developed from a young guitar slinger and local blues hero to a matured bluesman, fully fledged singer and the confident and engaging bandleader. In recent years, he has been a resident instructor at the Pinetop Perkins Foundation and the Chicago Blues Guitar Workshop and has developed a loyal following on YouTube channel for his weekly look at the blues guitar greats. Johnny’s recordings have evolved from being very Chicago-centric, to a fusion of West Coast and Chicago styles, and finally, to a more inclusive, international approach. His CD, “No Border Blues Japan”, is the first American compilation of the underground Japanese blues scene. His latest CD, “Ramblin’ from Coast to Coast”, has made several Best-Of-’24 lists and received a Blues Blast nomination for Best Traditional Blues CD.
The Baltimore Blues Society welcomes Johnny and his talented band to our 2025 Thanksgiving “Gobble Up the Blues” show.
Big Joe and the Dynaflows
D.C Music Legend
Big Joe Maher has been taking the stage for over 50 years delivering some of the best Jump Blues in the world. Steven Tyler quoted “Big Joe is the most talented singing/drummer I have ever heard”.
Joe Maher a/k/a “Big Joe” started out his music career in his Maryland high school jazz band “The Starliners.” After high school he went immediately on the road with his own jazz & blues trio. He began his mission to become an accomplished singer and drummer. Over time he shared the stage, opened up for or backed up music legends: Willie Dixon, Johnny Adams, Floyd Dixon, Delbert McClinton, Johnnie Johnson, Mick Fleetwood, Jimmy McCracklin, Jimmy Rogers, Pinetop Perkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bull moose Jackson, James “Thunderbird” Davis, Nappy Brown, Jimmy T99 Nelson, Lazy Lester, Bobby Parker, Otis Rush & Earl King.
In the late 80’s after managing, performing and touring with the 9-piece swing band out of DC, The Uptown Rhythm Kings, and after a few years touring as drummer with the Tom Principato Band, Joe formed his own 5-piece jump blues group BIG JOE & THE DYNAFLOWS.
The Dynaflows release “I’m Still Swingin” on Maryland based Severn Records, received the Washington Area Music Association (WAMA) “Best Blues Recording” in 1998 and “Layin’ in the Alley” on New Orleans based Black Top Records received “Best Blues Recording” in 1994. WAMA also voted Big Joe “Male Blues Vocalist of the Year” both in 2005 and 2009. Other Dynaflows releases include “All Night Long,” “You Can’t Keep a Big Man Down” and “Rock House Party” on the Severn label, “Good Rockin’ Daddy” (his first release) on the Powerhouse label & “Cool Dynaflow” on European label Tramp Records. Along with producing or co-producing his own releases, Joe produced recordings for DC’s leading jazz bassist John Previti, premier pianist and vibraphonist John Cocuzzi and the legendary honky tonk saxophonist Joe Stanley.
In 2023, Big Joe released two new Singles, “Let’s Have a Time” & “Crazy People”. Both tracks produced by Big Joe and executively produced by his son, Philip Maher.
Today Big Joe still produces and performs primarily around the Maryland, Washington D.C., and Virginia region. The Baltimore Blues Society is pleased to have Big Joe and the Dynaflows perform at the 2025 “Gobble Up the Blues” Thanksgiving Show.
Baltimore Blues Society FAQ’s & Things to Know:
The “Gobble Up the Blues” show is an all-afternoon adult event filled with live music and friends brought to you by the members of the Baltimore Blues Society. We want everyone to enjoy a wonderful afternoon. Here are some helpful guidelines.
NO PETS, NO FIREARMS PLEASE
Parking: There is plenty of parking at the Marco Hunting and Fishing Club – 1307 Wilson Point Rd., Baltimore MD 21220. Please park in the designated parking areas only. Parking staff will be on hand to direct you to the appropriate parking areas. Doors at 1 pm. Music begins at 2 pm.
Ticketing: New this year is online seating reservations. When you purchase your ticket, you may reserve a place at a particular table. If you purchase your ticket online, please have a printed copy of your receipt ready at the door. All tables will be numbered. There will be open seating for those who choose to purchase their ticket at the door via credit card or cash. All sales are final. The event is rain or shine, no refunds. Please check with your tax expert for tax deduction instructions as the Baltimore Blues Society is a 501(c3) non-profit corporation.
Food: There will be food for sale by Chesapeake Smoke BBQ. BYOB and coolers are allowed inside the event area. Cans or plastic please. Please help by removing your table trash at the end of the event.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOU JOINING US TO ENJOY THE BLUES TOGETHER!
Please keep in mind, the Baltimore Blues Society is an all-volunteer organization. We can only keep this wonderful music alive with your help through membership dues, donations and volunteers. Your support and generosity allows us to continue this critical work for this legendary music genre. A
All Baltimore Blues Society events are open to the public.