Lansing’s long-standing Root Doctor Band continues to amaze audiences and impress critics withtheir diverse mix of classic soul, R&B, and traditional blues. Crooning original scores, the perfectly matched musical chemistry of band members has audiences swooning time after time.
This band’s solid musicianship and lovin’-every-minute-of-it attitudes are as contagious as their songs are smokin’. The smooth presence and soulful lead vocals from Freddie Cunningham blend beautifully with Mike Skory’s beaming stage persona. Malone, Williams, and Gardner round out one of the hottest acts in Lansing’s history, making the Root Doctor Band a favorite – and a must-see performance at this year’s BluesFest.
BluesFest goers will get a “sneak peek” at what’s cooking behind the scenes with Root Doctor’s latest CD-in-progress. Root Doctor’s most recently released CD, “Change Our Ways,” was nominated for a Blues Music Award (formerly the WC Handy Awards) for Soul/Blues Album of the Year in 2007.
The soul of Root Doctor Band, Freddie Cunningham has been knockin’ the socks off audiences for more years than he generally cares to admit. His dynamic and powerful voice has drawn comparisons to such greats as Joe Williams, Lou Rawls, Sam Cooke, Bobby Blue Bland, Johnnie Taylor, and B.B. King. Buddy Guy was so impressed with Freddie’s voice that he quickly invited Root Doctor to play his own club. Mike Skory is the first-ever Solo Winner of the Annual Blues Brawl of 2010. Powerhouse bassist James Williams has shared the stage with such heavyweights as Buddy Guy, Kool & The Gang, Ray Charles, Koko Taylor, and Little Richard to name but a few. Bobby Gardner – well known for his hard-driving, skin-smackin’ drumming and growling vocals – has played with Buddy Miles, Chuck Berry, Bob Baldori, among others. Bill Malone’s versatile guitar stylings range from shredding to smooth groovin’, and his vocals blend like smooth scotch. Bill has shared the stage with Tab Benoit, Larry McCray and Coco Montoya.
- Freddie Cunningham – vocals
- Mike Skory – keyboards and vocals
- Bill Malone – guitar and vocals
- Bobby Gardner – drums and vocals
- James Williams – bass
Produced by:
Welcome to BluesFest 2011
The Old Town BluesFest is a two-day FREE music festival that brings national, regional, and local acts to an audience of roughly 15,000 people from across Michigan and nearby states.
BluesFest’s music truly is living music, history in the making. Each artist at the festival is asked to play an original composition, something that hasn’t been played at any other festival.
