Red's Blues
- Genre
- Blues
- Website
- http://www.sacblues.com/bands/redsblues
- Check out our facebook page
- Awards and Nominations
- SAMMIES 2019 Nominee★ Blues ★
- Musicians
- Beth Reid-Grigsby — lead vocals
- Doug Crumpacker — guitar
- RW Grigsby — electric bass, upright bass
- Tim Wilbur — drums
- Share
- Contact
- bethgrigsby@comcast.net
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- random band
Q & A
All-time favorite song?
02.04.19
"St. James Infirmary Blues."
How do you describe your music to people?
02.04.19
We are straight-ahead, traditional blues and Americana/roots original music. No rock-blues at all. We have many special guests such as Steve Freund, John Cocuzzi, Rusty Zinn... many more.
Tell us about how the band formed.
02.04.19
The band was formed going on seven years ago, 2012, when I was working as a backup singer in another band, and I mentioned I was tired of singing just backup and one or two blues song. Someone said, "Start your own band." So I did, with my husband.
Tell us about your best gig in Sac.
02.04.19
It's hard to name a "best" show. We like all the venues we play, the Torch Club having been home-base for us for years. The MoMo Lounge is, as Mindy Giles calls it, uptown and lowdown, another perfect place for blues. We loved and miss the Sacramento Music Festival, and the energy and crowds we got to play to. The Cajun and Blues Festival (which is another festival gone now), we also loved.
Tell us about your worst gig.
02.04.19
I won't mention names, but one venue we arrived at, it was about 110 outside, and there was no air-conditioning, and very few people as a result. It was boiling. There was one big fan making so much noise it interfered with being able to play. The staff had basically left. After the first set, I just walked up to the owner and said, "Let's cut our losses, give me the money I need to pay my band and we'll call it a day." So we did, and we never went back.
What artist or band are you a little embarrassed to love, and why?
02.04.19
This is one that I truly have no answer for. The bands I love, I'm not embarrassed about.
What was the first song you learned to play?
02.04.19
The first song I remember singing was "Summertime." First song I sang on stage was "Trouble In Mind."
What's next for the band?
02.04.19
We'll probably start working on another CD pretty soon, as RW and I have been writing some new material. We've put out two CDs, Red's Blues and You Knock Me Out. We're booking up 2019 and always looking for more!! We love working!
What's the story behind the band name?
02.04.19
The band was named by my husband, R.W., simply because I have long red hair, hence, Red's Blues.
What's your favorite local artist/group?
02.04.19
My band, Doug Crumpacker, RW Grigsby, Tim Wilbur, all of whom are members of the Sacramento Blues Hall of Fame; John Cocuzzi, Rick Estrin, Robert Sidwell, Kyle, Dana Moret, Larry Carr, Ray "Catfish" Copeland and Marilyn Woods, I really could go on with more great musicians and friends here in Sac.
Who are your biggest influences?
02.04.19
Memphis Minnie, Little Esther, Jimmy Reed, Steve Freund, Rusty Zinn, Jon Lawton, Johnny Burgin, James Cotton, Memphis Slim, my husband, RW Grigsby, and many, many more.
Who first inspired you to play music?
02.04.19
Oh, Mississippi John Hurt, Lead Belly, my mother singing blues to me as a child, all kinds of blues when I was a kid coming up.
Words to live by?
02.04.19
Do unto others and leave good karma in your wake. Pay it forward. Be kind. Hug your family and your friends, and the folks who come to see you!
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