Fronting the band with Wright is his wife, rhythm guitarist and vocalist Laurie LaCross-Wright, a compelling singer with a vivid and expressive vocal style that stretches with ease from a breathy, crooned endearment into a two-octave slide that becomes a throaty affirmation of her ability to wail. The chemistry between Wright and his wife is both obvious and refreshing as they exchange playful banter onstage and share anecdotes about the songs and their lives with the audience.
Musically, they soar. Their passion for music and performing is evident as they take turns playing off each other. Laurie laughs with delight when Rusty plays a particularly inventive riff. His guitar work echoes the dynamics and emotion of her voice as she sings. He closes his eyes and loses himself in the music as he plays. She, in turn, looks directly out at the audience, smiling widely from the stage, as if to say You'd better believe this is every bit as fun as it looks!
THE LIVE SHOW
The RWB live show focuses on material from their critically acclaimed first CD Ain't No Good Life. In January, the band will also introduce new material from their upcoming second CD, slated for release in April 2008. The new disc will include two previously unreleased tunes penned by Warren Haynes of Govt. Mule.
RWB has dynamic 45, 60 and 90-minute concert sets that are ideal for keeping a diverse, multi-generational audience entertained. The crowd response says it all - more often than not Rusty and the band receive standing ovations during their performances, and they leave audiences on their feet clamoring for more.
Rusty Wright Blues also has a feel-good, energetic nightclub show that expands on the band's concert sets. In addition to their own brand of sizzling hybrid-blues and engaging onstage husband/wife banter, the band pulls out the big box of crayons to color their blues as they pay tribute to a wide spectrum of artists whose music has inspired them.
PERFORMANCE COMMENTS/REVIEWS
PIX THEATRE
January 2008
"They're probably some the best blues I've ever heard." ~ Craig Martin, director, Pix Theatre, Lapeer MI.
MARQUETTE BLUES FESTIVAL
September 2007
"There are many who may not have heard of this band before their performance, but I doubt any will forget them afterwards. They were the darlings of the festival on Sunday. If you get a chance to get out and see them, go! go! go!" ~ Cheryl Olson, music reviewer, WOAS FM radio personality, Porcupine Music Festival Talent Coordinator
I CHEWS THE BLUES FESTIVAL
August 2006
(RWB returned as the festival headliner in August 2007)
"Not many bands can make me want to dance on tabletops one minute and make me cry the next!! Thank you for being a big part of our festival." ~ Marguerite King-Goodall, Festival Chair
KALAMAZOO BLUES FESTIVAL
July 2007
"When we book a band for a festival we want a full sound, great vocals, and somebody that can work the crowd. We got all of that and more with the Rusty Wright Band. That's why we keep bringing them back!" ~ Dennis Massingill, Kalamazoo Blues Festival
OWOSSO AMPHITHEATER SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
July 2007
"I've been on the board for seven years and I think this was my favorite concert here at the Amphitheater - ever!" ~ Roger Squires, board member, Owosso Area Amphitheater Association
LOWELL SIZZLIN' SUMMER CONCERT SERIES
July 2007
"I don't recall an act ever getting a standing ovation before at one of our concerts." ~ Gordon Gould
23rd ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE Memphis TN
February, 2007
"They may not have won the contest, but they did win critical acclaim from the likes of Bill Wax from XM Radio, Legendary Blues Manager and photographer Dick Waterman, and Alligator Records Czar, Bruce Iglaur. Rumor has it that Rusty and the gang will be on the festival circuit next year and that a trip to the Virgin Islands' St. Johns Blues Festival is in the offing." ~ Steve Allen, Detroit Blues Society President
KALAMAZOO BLUES FESTIVAL
July 2005
"I saw you play today. Your time is about to start." ~ WC Clark, "Godfather" of Austin Blues
LYNYRD SKYNYRD CONCERT
June 2004
"Dude, where did you come from? That was great." ~ Rickey Medlocke, Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Great guitar playing. You guys sound great."
~ Johnny Van Zant, Lynyrd Skynyrd
PORCUPINE MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL
August 2006
"After playing their CD so heavily prior to their visit, I was really excited to hear them perform together, and they were great. They both proved to be professionals and kept their cool when two of Laurie's guitar strings decided to break. Hilarious stage banter and great chemistry these two have, and they were well received by the early day crowd." ~ Cheryl Olson, WOAS FM radio personality
OXFORD HOT BLUES & BBQ FESTIVAL
June 2006
"Guitar wizard Rusty led the band through a series of songs and just to show the kids before them that they had chops too, finished with a red hot version of the Allman Brothers Whipping Post, which brought the entire crowd to it's feet for a standing ovation." ~ Tim Richards, Blues writer, photographer
Rusty and Laurie Wright (RWB) Upcoming Gigs.
6-10 p.m. Fri/Sat February 8 & 9, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Lefty's Steakhouse
1865 E M-21 Owosso, MI 48867
Telephone:(989)
6-10 p.m. Thursday February 14, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Lefty's Steakhouse
1865 E M-21 Owosso, MI 48867
Telephone:(989)
9-midnight Fri/Sat February 15-16, 2008
Rusty and Laurie (duo show)
Chip's Place
715 South Chipman St. Owosso, MI 48867
8p.m. - midnight Thursday, February 21, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
All Around Bar
25621 Ecorse Rd
Taylor MI 48180
Telephone:(313)
6-10 p.m. Friday, Febuary 22, 2008
Rusty & Laurie Wright duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
Telephone810-
7 p.m. Saturday February 23, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
Alpena Blues Coalition 2008 Winter Warm-up Fundraiser
Alpena County Fairgrounds Merchants Building
625 S. 11th
Alpena, MI 49707
6-10 p.m. Friday March 7, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
1519 W. Bristol Rd Flint MI 48507
Telephone810-
9-midnight Friday March 14, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
CJs Sandbar
12 S Broadway
Lake Orion, MI 48362
Telephone248-
6-10 p.m. Saturday March 22, 2008
Rusty & Laurie duo show
Bristol Fish & Grill
1519 W. Bristol Rd
Flint MI 48507
Telephone810-
8p.m. - midnight Thursday, March 27, 2008
Rusty Wright Band
All Around Bar
25621 Ecorse Rd
Taylor MI 48180
Telephone: (313) 292-6838
