Johnny Winter, Ruthie Foster, Magic Slim and the Teardrops, Bhi Bhiman and Patrick Sweany will perform Jan. 15 at the West Virginia University Creative Arts Center as part of West Virginia Public Broadcasting’s Mountain Stage with Larry Groce. The concert starts at 7:00 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Mountainlair and Creative Arts Center box offices, online at ticketmaster.com, or by calling 304-293-SHOW and 800-745-3000.

Dubbed one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” by Rolling Stone in 2003, Johnny Winter is a blues force to be reckoned with. Since his self-titled debut first released in 1969, Winter ushered in a hard-rock style to the blues music scene. Throughout his career, Winter has put his own spin on such songs as Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” and Bob Dylan’s “Highway 61 Revisited.” His success even landed him a gig on the Woodstock stage. Winter also won three Grammys for his collaborations with Muddy Waters. In 1988, he was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame. His most recent album, “Roots,” was released in September and is currently No. 7 in the Billboard Blues Albums chart.

Nominated for the 2010 Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album, Ruthie Foster has earned a reputation for her powerful voice and blend of soul, blues, rock, folk and gospel. First performing in the U.S. Navy, Foster has performed throughout North America, Europe and Australia. She has released six albums since her debut in 1997 and earned countless awards and nominations, including being named Contemporary Blues Female Artist of the Year in 2010. Foster’s latest “Let It Burn” is due out this month.

Magic Slim’s musical journey could have ended so quickly after an accident with a cotton gin cost him a finger and the ability to play piano. This accident lead him to pick up a guitar, an instrument through which his music has become known to millions of blues fans across the world. Described as playing “raw, intense blues,” the Mississippi-born, living blues legend has released 23 albums over four decades, including the most recent “Raising the Bar in 2010.” Slim is backed by The Teardrops, a dynamic group consisting of Jon McDonald (guitar/vocals), Andre Howard (bass), Brian “BJ” Jones (drums) and David Sims (drums).

A first-generation Sri Lankan-American singer/songwriter, Bhi Bhiman (pronounced Bee Bee-men), has earned high praise for his folk-rock. His debut album, “The Cookbook,” was described by the San Francisco Examiner as “filled with heart-wrenching, serious ballads mixed right in with sarcastic and satirical social commentaries. His strikingly vibrant tenor octave resonates loud and powerful from any stage with as much recognition as his name.” Bhiman will release a new album this month.

As early as his teens, Patrick Sweany was gaining a reputation for his intricate, country blues style. His first CD, “I Wanna Tell You,” earned him the attention of Jimmy Thackery and Roy Book Binder and a slot at the annual music festival MerleFest in 2002. In 2006, Sweany signed with Nine Mile Records to release “C’mon C’mere,” a mix of country, soul and ‘50s era rock music. His latest release, “That Old Southern Drag,” was released in February 2011. The album expands his roots music palette without losing his signature deep blues sound.

General admission tickets are $15 in advance and $20 on the day of the show, and may be purchased at the Mountainlair and CAC box offices, online at ticketmaster.com and by phone at 304-293-SHOW or 800-745-3000. Tickets may also be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the Wal-Mart in Bridgeport.

This event is produced by WVU Arts & Entertainment. For additional event information, call 304-293-SHOW, or visit events.wvu.edu. Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/wvuevents and follow us on Twitter at @wvuevents for the most up-to-date show information.

-WVU-

dr/01/04/12

CONTACT: David Ryan; WVU Arts & Entertainment
304.293.8222; David.Ryan@mail.wvu.edu