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 Bo Ramsey
2006 INDUCTEE
www.boramsey.com
Born and raised Burlington, Iowa, Robert Franklin
“Bo” Ramsey not only played a vital role in shaping Eastern Iowa's
distinctive Blues-Rock hybrid, but has continued in his still-vibrant career
as a performer, much-in-demand producer, recording session guitarist and
"hired gun" in touring bands of high-profile national acts.
Ramsey broke out in the early-'70s with the seminal
Mother Blues Band, that also featured Iowa Blues legends Joe Price and
Patrick Hazell.
In the latter part of the decade, the guitarist broke off to form Bo Ramsey
& The Sliders. Merging the sounds of Blues masters with swampy, river basin
Funk, the band enjoyed a strong following on the Midwest circuit for nearly
a dozen years.
Following a brief hiatus in the late-'80s, Bo began a
collaboration and friendship with revered folksinger Greg Brown that
continues to the present. The pair has recorded together and toured the U.S.
and abroad extensively.
Ramsey also briefly co-fronted a band with Nashville
singer/songwriter Kevin Gordon, led his own bands (The Backsliders and The
Middle Of Nowhere), and - for the past few years - has recorded and toured
with Pieta Brown.
Bo produced (and added his guitars to) albums by Dave
Moore, Teddy Morgan and Jeffrey Foucault.
Ramsey also played on Lucinda Williams’ Grammy-winning
Car Wheels On A Gravel Road, and the Grammy-nominated Essence -
joining her band on tour in support of both records.
Ramsey made two TV appearances with Williams on The
Late Show With David Letterman and one each on The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno and Late Night With Conan O'Brien.
Other TV appearances include playing with Lucinda and
Elvis Costello on CMT's Crossroads series and again with Lucinda in
award-winning German film director Wim Wenders' Soul Of A Man segment
for Martin Scorsese's series on the Blues.
In addition, Bo's distinctive, inimitable guitar sounds
have graced the recorded works of numerous other artists, including Ani
DiFranco, Iris DeMent, and Joe Price. He also produced a six-song session
for Joan Baez.
Bo Ramsey has recorded nine albums under his own name,
including his latest, Stranger Blues, a project that pays tribute to
his Blues roots. Stranger Blues features appearances by Greg Brown,
Joe Price, Pieta Brown, Benson Ramsey, Ricky Peterson, Rico Cicalo, and
Steve Hayes.
PHOTO ©
SCOTT ALLEN - VIVIDPIX.COM
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