The Flying Monkey Performance Center presents Winter Blues Festival on Friday, February 23rd at 7:30pm.  The evening features “Big Bill” Morganfield, Sugar Ray Norcia, Jerry Portnoy, Jason Ricci, Paul Rishell and Annie Raines, and Mr. Nick and The Dirty Tricks.   Tickets for this show start at $29.

Many men try to fill their father’s shoes when they join the family business. Few, however, must prove they are up to the task in front of an audience as large as the ones that watched Big Bill Morganfield come into his own and successfully pay homage to his famous father.

William Morganfield is the son of McKinley Morganfield (Muddy Waters) and has emerged in the past few years as one of the top young blues talents in America. Bill has played all over the world in the past 12 years, bringing pure joy to those who have had the pleasure of seeing his live performance. “It’s been a long journey for me, man,” chuckles blues man William “Big Bill” Morganfield.  The Atlanta-based singer/guitarist is staying busy on the road in 2018 behind his latest album, Bloodstains on The Wall. To him, it’s just one of many steps on a musical adventure.

While Big Bill succeeded in developing his own personal style and sound — without mimicking his father’s music — inevitably, there’s a hint of Muddy Water’s voice in his singing. “I think it’s in the genes,” says Bill. “I think I sound like my dad, but art is so hard to duplicate. To create is a better thing. So you create your own style, with the influence of others. I learned from my daddy, but I wanted to create myself.”
Blues in the blood indeed.

Also on the bill at The Flying Monkey is a who’s who of East Coast harmonica veterans including Jason Ricci, Annie Raines, and Sugar Ray Norcia.  Jerry Portnoy, longtime harp player with Muddy Waters band as well as Eric Clapton’s band, rounds out the special guests.   Boston area fan favorites Mr. Nick and The Dirty Tricks will anchor the evening.
Tickets to see Winter Blues Festival are $29, and $39 for premier seating.  For more information on upcoming shows or to purchase tickets call the box office at 603-536-2551 or go online at www.flyingmonkeyNH.com.