At 7:30 PM on Saturday, June 22 The Flying Monkey is excited to be bringing Ronnie Earl and his band to the Monkey Stage. Ronnie Earl has been hailed by musicians and critics alike as one of the premier blues guitarists of his generation. Ronnie is known for his days as guitarist in the legendary Roomful of Blues, and for winning the prestigious W.C. Handy Blues Award as “Guitar Player of the Year,” twice. Vermont’s newest blues and soul sensation Dave Keller will open the show.

Ronnie’s first professional job was as a rhythm guitarist at The Speakeasy (also known as Speakeasy Pete’s or The Speak) in Cambridge. He began to play along with and learn from the great blues guitarist and vocalist Otis Rush, as well as the harmonica master Big Walter Horton, who would share an apartment with Ronnie when he was in town.

Ronnie’s first record was playing slide guitar with blues pianist, guitarist, and vocalist Sunnyland Slim. Playing at the time with blues guitarist and singer Muddy Waters, who couldn’t remember Ronnie’s last name when he would call him up on stage, Ronnie changed his last name to “Earl” as a tribute to blues slide guitarist Earl Hooker.

In 1979 Ronnie Earl joined the Roomful of Blues, then a ten-piece ensemble group based in Providence, Rhode Island, where he would spend the next eight years playing and touring while releasing a number of albums. In 1988, he left Roomful of Blues for a solo career. Ronnie formed his own band, which in 2008 celebrated twenty years of distinguished Broadcaster music.

“Everyone at the Monkey is thrilled to have Ronnie back in the room,” says Seth McNally, Entertainment Director at The Flying Monkey. “Anyone that was at his last show will agree…and likely return themselves for a night of soulful blues.”

Tickets to Ronnie Earl and The Broadcasters are $25, and $35 for premier seats. For more information on upcoming shows or to purchase tickets call the box office at 536-2551 or go online at FlyingMonkeyNH.com.