On the heels of his hit CD “In My Spirit,” Craig Horton releases his second solo effort, “Touch of the Bluesman” on Bad Daddy Records. Think of it as blues with an attitude.
Craig’s newest release is a natural progression of the heavy swingin’, hard shufflin’ classic blues sounds of Chicago and the South that was reflected in his first CD. In “Touch of the Bluesman,” he carves out new territory with his deep, gutsy voice, unique delivery and soulful interpretations.
“Touch of the Bluesman” is a product of Craig’s evolution as an artist – a style that only he can own. He doesn’t emulate blues from the 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. He helped to create the genre in a career that spans five decades.
Craig builds his music on a diverse foundation of sounds, having played jazz, R&B and rock ‘n roll, in addition to the blues, during his early years as a musician. Over the years, Craig has earned respect from just as diverse an array of musicians and critics. Joe Louis Walker has called Horton “A Great Musician, Great Singer, Great Band Leader.” Tom Mazzolini, producer of the San Francisco Blues Fest, reported after last year’s event that, "Craig Horton gave one of the memorable sets that had people talking. It was impressive and it was deep mountain high! The real thing!"
A gifted songwriter, singer and guitarist, Craig prides himself on playing on the edge and taking chances, playing music that comes from his soul. The spontaneity of his performances echo what he’s feeling at the time.
Before his debut solo CD, Craig performed with such blues greats as Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Dinah Washington, Otis Rush, Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, Freddie King, Sam Myers and The Mississippi Delta Blues Band.
Some of his first gigs on the road were playing with such legends as Highway QC's, Goose Tatum and The Harlem Road Kings, and The Ink Spots. In the late 50’s, Craig played guitar in the legendary Little Walter’s Band and was a touring member of The Dells. He was also a big part of the Chicago music scene, opening the Golden Dolphin with Count Basie and Duke Ellington.
Craig’s musical inspiration came from his family while growing up in Conway, Arkansas. His grandmother played guitar in church and introduced him to the instrument when he was a child. When he turned 14, his grandfather gave him his first guitar. He was later inspired by such icons as Johnny Ace, Ray Charles, Willie Dixon, T-Bone Walker, Pee Wee Crayton and B.B. King.
His accomplishments are critically acclaimed. He received the “Patience Is A Virtue Award” from Real Blues Magazine, and “In My Spirit” earned him Best Debut Album of 2001 from Living Blues Magazine. In February 2004, The Bay Area Blues Society named Craig Horton “Blues Guitar Player of the Year” and named Craig Horton and his band as “Blues Band of the Year.”