Artist Profile: Steve Grills & The Roadmasters

Steve Grills & The Roadmasters (Rochester, NY)

For Steve Grills, the Blues has been a life long journey. As a youngster, he heard the music of Big Bill Broonzy, Leadbelly and Lightnin’ Hopkins from his father’s record collection. Through the Beatles, Steve discovered Chuck Berry and he has not looked back since. He has searched out the roots of Rock and Roll, uncovering many great artists who have influenced and inspired him. Primarily among these are Robert Lockwood Jr., Earl Hooker , Freddie King and Albert Collins . Steve became friends with Robert Lockwood Jr after meeting him in 1978. In 1992, Robert invited Steve and his band to perform at his Legendary Blues Festival near Cleveland , Ohio. Steve later recorded with Robert on Shakin Smith’s cd Harmonica Wizard.

Steve and his band the Roadmasters (named after Earl Hooker’s band) draw their repetoire from these and other artists, allowing contemporary audiences the opportunity to discover the vitality of the music of these legendary and influential musicians.

To learn more about Steve Grills, visit his website at stevegrills.com.

	The New York State Blues Festival is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

	This project is made possible with funds from the Tier Three Project Support program, a regrant program of the County of Onondaga with the support of the County Executive and administered by CNY Arts.

	This project was made possible with funds from the County of Onondaga through the Marketing for Economic Development Program administered by CNY Arts.