From recording and touring with JOHN LEE HOOKER - to opening for JAMES BROWN and THE TUBES - to storming BEALE STREET with THE BRIDGEBURNERS in Memphis, PAUL WOOD has been knocking out audiences worldwide with his slashing guitar and houserockin' vocals. PAUL WOOD is pegged to carry the torch of guitar afficionados into the 21st century.

Memphis based guitarist and singer Wood, long a music fan favorite in his native Bay Area, has taken his music around the world and back again - in the space of three album releases - with a sheaf of praise from critics, musicians and industry insiders alike. His smoking, yet always tasty, guitar tone is inflected with "done it all, seen it all" Rock, and "born to sing the Blues" aptly describes his unique vocal sound. Currently touring with his band to promote his new CD, "Pirate Radio", Wood should only boost his visibility and name value while reinforcing markets where airplay and sales continue to skyrocket. Crossover success does not seem out of the question.

Born and raised in Oakland, California, Wood started playing guitar at the age of eleven. Initially inspired by George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton and Mike Bloomfield, he journeyed into the roots of his heroes, only to discover and meticulously study the legendary talents of John Lee Hooker, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Jimmy Reed and Muddy Waters. On his 20th birthday, through a series of propitious circumstances, Wood was in a recording studio with blues great John Lee Hooker, and the likes of Van Morrison, Elvin Bishop and Charlie Musselwhite. He spent two years on the road with Hooker and his Coast to Coast Blues Band, recorded three albums with the legend and soaked up the unadulterated styling of the late classic Chicago blues guitarist Luther Tucker.

After performing with his own bands back in the Bay Area - culminating with five consecutive appearances at the Monterey Blues Festival and opening for such artists as Stephen Stills, James Brown, Albert King, Albert Collins and The Tubes - Wood took his music to Europe for two years, riding the blues circuit in Amsterdam and Hamburg. Returning to the States in 1997, Wood relocated to Memphis, taking advantage of the close proximity of northern Mississippi's "hill country" blues scene at Junior Kimbrough's and becoming a club mainstay on esteemed Beale Street. His self-produced tribute album "Bridgeburner", was recorded in 1999.

It was on world-famous Beale Street that same year that Wood met Memphis producer Jack Holder, well-known in music circles for his own guitar prowess and for working with and/or producing/recording with such artists as Buddy Guy, Albert King, Travis Trit, Jonny Lang, Shannon Curfman and Black Oak Arkansas. At Holder's suggestion, Wood began work on his second solo album - adding 'songwriter' to his credit list with original material - and nine months later, in May 2001, the critically acclaimed "Blues Is My Business" CD was released. Wood and Holder's mutual admiration is in evidence on this first class production, which continues to receive strong airplay from Hawaii to St. Louis to Belgium and critical praise from both fans and industry insiders. The clamor from wood's global fan base was answered in June 2003 with "Pirate Radio", the next Wood/Holder collaboration. Look for Paul Wood playing a venue near you during his "Pirate Radio" tour; you'll kick yourself if you miss this future guitar legend in action.... headed to the top.

Homebase: Memphis, TN. (1997 to present); Native of Oakland, CA.; Amsterdam (1995-97).

Discography

1999 - Bridgburner (Lucy Records)
2001 - Blues Is My Business (Lucy Records)
2003 - Pirate Radio (Lucy Records)

Professional Highlights

Paul was a member of JOHN LEE HOOKER'S COAST TO COAST BLUES BAND for two years and recorded:

"Never Get Out Of These Blues Alive", John Lee Hooker and The Coast To Coast Blues Band, featuring Charlie Musselwhite, Elvin Bishop, and Van Morrison. (ABC/Dunhill)
"Born In Mississippi, Raised Up In Tennessee", John Lee Hooker and The Coast To Coast Blues Band, featuring Mark Laftalin, Elvin Bishop, Van Morrison, Don "Sugarcane" Harris and The Pointer Sisters. (ABC/Dunhill)
"Kabuki Wuki", John Lee Hooker and The Coast To Coast Blues Band live album, featuring L.C. "Good Rockin'" Robinson and Van Morrison. (ABC/Dunhill)

Paul has opened for these artists in concert:

JAMES BROWN
ALBERT KING
THE TUBES
ALBERT COLLINS
STEPHEN STILLS

Paul shared billing with these artists for four consecutive years at the Monterey Blues Festival:

ROBERT CRAY
RUTH BROWN
ETTA JAMES
JAMES COTTON
JOHN MAYALL
DR. JOHN

INFO/BOOKING: (970) 254-8260

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Paul Wood - a man most certainly of many talents and if I don't say so myself, a great storyteller. These next few paragraphs are from the perspective of one that has been privileged enough to have actually known the man, played the Blues with him, and spent a not unconsiderable and most definitely entertaining amount of time in his company.

Right off the bat, I can say that Paul has lived the Blues to an extent that gives him a perspective available only to those on the inside. He also has a marked talent for celebration - whether it be of the little things in life or of life itself. He can express that talent in many ways, including his "Yeah! I can relate to that!" turn of phrase and his wit, charm, style and grace.

The first time I met Paul was through a phone conversation instigated by a man known to be "The Debil" himself. What struck me initially was Paul's voice - a deep resonating slightly gravelly voice, with a definite undertone of pure humor - I liked the man from the first words he spoke to me! In my minds eye, I could actually "see" the quirky smile and twinkle in his eye.

As I got to know the man better, having been in a few musical groups with him, I was often floored by his awesome guitar playing ability. He was a natural. And his adaptability to any situation, wherein he was called upon to perform in many different styles of music cemented in my mind that he was highly talented.

Paul and I transitioned from being "sidemen" with a nationally known act to forming our own groups in which we were better able to determine our own direction. It was at this point that I fully realized what a monster talent Paul really was. This guy was definitely on a mission and that mission was to head straight to the top of the Blues charts!

His knowledge of the Blues is immense and he conveys that knowledge through his playing. Listen to his voice and you'll instantly be transported to the Mississippi Delta. He crafts his songs with a depth of artistry found only in those whom can portray complete originality.

I could go on indefinitely, but I'll close by simply saying: "Buy his music! Get to his gigs! You WON'T be disappointed!" And if you ever get the chance to hear him tell one of his seemingly endless repertoire of stories?....jump on it! Chances are, you'll walk away wiser and you'll definitely walk away smiling!

Johnny Blue (aka JW)
Artist at large
Somewhere in California
Spring - 2003