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Tag: Mike Zito

  • Mike Zito – Crazy Legs

    Mike Zito – Crazy Legs

    Mike Zito – Blues Rock With Grit, Heart, and the Soul of a Survivor

    Mike Zito – Crazy Legs

    I’ve been around the blues for most of my life, but the first time I heard Mike Zito, it felt different.

    It wasn’t just the tone—although, wow, that guitar tone is as rich and raw as they come.
    It wasn’t just the songs—even though they’re full of grit, honesty, and real-life experience.
    It was the feeling that I was listening to someone who had lived every single word.

    Mike Zito doesn’t just play the blues—he walks through fire with it and comes out stronger on the other side.


    From St. Louis Streets to International Blues Stages

    Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Mike Zito came up the hard way—playing bars, struggling with addiction, hitting rock bottom, and clawing his way back.

    His story isn’t just inspiring—it’s all over his music.
    And that’s what makes him stand out in today’s blues world: he’s completely, brutally real.

    He’s not a flashy shredder.
    He’s not a blues purist.
    He’s a songwriter, storyteller, and survivor—and his guitar just happens to be a weapon of emotional mass connection.


    The Sound: Blues Rock That Cuts Deep

    Mike Zito’s sound walks a tightrope between traditional blues, southern rock, and soulful Americana:

    • 🎸 His guitar work is bold, tasteful, and always serves the song.
    • 🎤 His vocals are raspy, heartfelt, and undeniably human.
    • 🎶 His songs dig into addiction, love, struggle, redemption, and the hard work of healing.

    Every Mike Zito album feels like a journal entry—and I’ve read every one of them cover to cover.


    Albums That Hit Me Right Where I Live

    If you’re new to Mike Zito, here’s where to start:

    • 💿 Pearl River (2009) – A collaboration with Cyril Neville. Soulful, funky, unforgettable.
    • 🎧 Greyhound (2011) – Raw, personal, and beautifully written.
    • 🎙️ Make Blues Not War (2016) – As rocking as it is bluesy. A total blast.
    • 🔥 Resurrection (2021) – His most vulnerable and spiritual album.
    • 🎸 Blood Brothers (2023, with Albert Castiglia) – Two masters, one powerful statement of unity and fire.

    And let’s not forget the Royal Southern Brotherhood years—Zito, Devon Allman, Cyril Neville… those records were gold.


    Seeing Mike Zito Live – A Blues Preacher With Fire in His Fingers

    I’ve seen Mike Zito live three times, and every show felt like a revival meeting and a therapy session rolled into one.

    He plays like the stage is his church, and the blues is his sermon.
    There’s no ego. Just a guy baring his soul and letting that Stratocaster do the rest.

    Whether he’s tearing through “Hell On Me” or breaking hearts with “Gone to Texas,” he brings everything he has, every single night.


    Why Mike Zito Still Matters

    In a music world full of plastic and pretense, Mike Zito is the real damn deal.

    • He’s an artist who’s lived the stories he tells.
    • He’s a bandleader who lifts others up.
    • He’s a fighter who made it back from the edge.

    And maybe most importantly, he’s helping keep the blues alive and evolving—mentoring younger players, producing killer records, and proving that honesty never goes out of style.


    Where to Start If You’re New

    Your Mike Zito starter kit:

    • 🎧 Greyhound – A personal favorite.
    • 💿 Resurrection – Deep, spiritual, and soulful.
    • 🎙️ Pearl River – Classic modern blues with heart.
    • 📀 Blood Brothers (w/ Albert Castiglia) – Blues-rock perfection.
    • 📺 YouTube: Search “Mike Zito live” or “Mike Zito Gone to Texas” for must-see performances.

    More at mikezito.com


    Mike Zito is proof that the blues isn’t just about the past—it’s about surviving the present and believing in the future.
    And every time he plays, I remember why I keep coming back to this music.

    🎸💙🔥

    Video

    Thank you

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Wasted Time

    Mike Zito – Wasted Time

    Grit, Groove & Guitar Fire: How Mike Zito’s Blues Rocked Me Back to Life

    There’s a certain kind of blues that doesn’t whisper or weep—it roars. That’s what hit me the first time I heard Mike Zito.
    I was scrolling aimlessly, looking for something real, and I found it in his song “Gone to Texas.” The slide guitar caught my ear first. Then his voice—worn in, warm, and full of road dust—drew me all the way in.

    By the time the chorus hit, I knew:
    This guy wasn’t just playing the blues—he was living it.


    Who Is Mike Zito?

    Mike Zito is the kind of bluesman who’s walked through fire and came out swinging.
    Born and raised in St. Louis, he soaked up the city’s deep blues traditions but brought with him a rocker’s edge and songwriter’s heart.

    He’s one of those rare artists who’s equally respected for his playing, his voice, and his pen.
    He’s battled addiction, doubt, and damn near everything else life can throw at you—but came out the other side with a guitar in hand and soul intact.

    He’s also a founding member of Royal Southern Brotherhood (with Cyril Neville and Devon Allman), and the co-owner of Gulf Coast Records, where he helps elevate other artists in the blues world.
    In other words? Zito doesn’t just play the blues—he gives back to it.


    The Sound: Southern Rock Grit Meets Soulful Blues Truth

    Zito’s sound is a mix of Texas and Tennessee, Mississippi and Missouri.
    Think Warren Haynes, Derek Trucks, and a splash of Springsteen storytelling—but always grounded in the blues.

    He’s got that raw Stratocaster tone that sings and snarls. His slide work? Pure southern fire.
    And vocally, he’s got this blue-collar croon—the kind of voice that sounds like it’s been through some stuff, but still believes in redemption.

    But make no mistake—this isn’t blues by numbers. This is personal, passionate, and full of purpose.


    Albums That Made Me a Believer

    Mike Zito’s catalog runs deep, but these records hit me right between the ribs:

    • 🎸 Gone to Texas (2013) – The one that hooked me. Autobiographical and emotional. “Rainbow Bridge” still wrecks me.
    • 🔥 Make Blues Not War (2016) – Produced by Tom Hambridge, it’s rough, rowdy, and full of hooks. The title track? Instant classic.
    • 🎤 First Class Life (2018) – Reflects on sobriety, struggle, and gratitude. An album full of heart.
    • 🕊️ Resurrection (2021) – Some of his best guitar tone ever. Deep, reflective, and hopeful.
    • 💥 Blues for the Southside (2022 – Live) – If you want to hear him in full flight, this live album is pure gold. “Texas Flood” will knock you over.
    • 🚀 Life Is Hard (2023) – Emotional, stripped down, and deeply personal. A blues record with soul scars and spiritual light.

    Seeing Him Live: Soul, Sweat, and Six-String Salvation

    I saw Mike Zito live in 2022, and let me tell you—it was not just a concert. It was a spiritual cleansing with overdrive.

    He doesn’t posture. He doesn’t need flash.
    He just walks out and plays like he’s got nothing to lose and everything to give.

    From slow burners like “Judgement Day” to barn-burners like “Mississippi Nights,” he plays every song like it matters—because it does.

    And when he talks about his struggles between songs, you realize…
    This guy’s not acting.
    He is the music.


    Why Mike Zito Matters

    There’s no shortage of guitar slingers out there. But Mike Zito?
    He’s the real deal.

    He plays with soul and skill, he writes with honesty, and he gives back to the community that saved him.
    He’s a mentor, a label owner, a collaborator, and a fighter.
    And through it all, he’s stayed humble, grounded, and endlessly passionate about the blues.

    He doesn’t just want to impress you—he wants to connect with you. And that makes all the difference.


    Where to Start If You’re New

    Ready to dive in? Here’s the roadmap:

    • 🎧 Gone to Texas – The most personal. Start here.
    • 💿 Make Blues Not War – For grit and groove.
    • 🕊️ Resurrection – For soul and substance.
    • 🔥 Blues for the Southside – For the live fire.
    • 📺 YouTube: Search “Mike Zito live Texas Flood,” “Gone to Texas acoustic,” or “Mike Zito Make Blues Not War” to see his full range.

    More at mikezito.com


    Mike Zito plays the blues like a man who’s wrestled with demons and learned how to dance with them. He makes loud music for quiet redemption, and in every bend, every lyric, every roar—you can feel the truth. 🎸🔥💙

  • Mike Zito – Judgement Day

    Mike Zito – Judgement Day

    Groove, Grit, and Heart: How Mike Zito Became My Blues Brother from Another Mother

    It started with one song—“Gone to Texas.” I clicked play out of curiosity. Five minutes later, I was sitting in silence, floored. The guitar tone had soul and sting. The vocals were raw and honest. And the story? It felt real. That was my first taste of Mike Zito, and from that day on, I’ve followed him like a true believer.

    Zito isn’t just a great blues guitarist. He’s a storyteller, a survivor, and a modern bluesman who wears his heart on his fretboard.


    From St. Louis to the World Stage

    Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Mike Zito came up on a diet of classic rock, soul, and blues. He cut his teeth in the clubs of his hometown, slowly building a reputation as one of the hardest-working, most soulful guitar slingers in the Midwest.

    But his rise wasn’t easy. Mike battled addiction, demons, and doubt, and what sets him apart is that he never hid it. He put it in the music—and that honesty became his superpower.

    When he got clean and signed with Ruf Records, it felt like his second life began. He’s since gone from barroom grinder to blues festival headliner, and he’s earned every inch of it.


    The Sound: Blues Rock with Big Sky Emotion

    Mike Zito’s guitar playing is all about feel, fire, and space. He can shred, sure—but he never plays a note that doesn’t matter. His tone is fat and expressive, with a little bit of Texas dirt, a touch of southern soul, and the grit of St. Louis barrooms.

    Vocally, Mike’s got that raspy, everyman voice—equal parts storyteller and soul singer. He doesn’t try to sound perfect. He sounds real. And when he sings about pain, redemption, or freedom, you believe him.

    He mixes blues, rock, roots, and Americana into something uniquely his own. Think Joe Bonamassa meets John Hiatt with a Strat in his hand.


    The Albums That Won Me Over (and Keep Me Coming Back)

    Mike Zito’s discography is deep, but here are the records that lit me up:

    • 🎸 Gone to Texas (2013) – A personal and musical rebirth. The title track alone is worth the price of admission.
    • 💥 Make Blues Not War (2016) – High energy, big hooks, and modern blues with teeth. A must-listen.
    • 🔥 Resurrection (2021) – Deep, soulful, and full of spiritual weight. One of his best.
    • 🎤 First Class Life (2018) – About surviving addiction and finding peace. Honest and uplifting.
    • 🎶 Rock ‘n’ Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry (2019) – A celebration of his roots with guest stars galore.
    • 📀 Life Is Hard (2024) – His newest, and it hits hard emotionally and musically. Proof that Zito’s still growing, still reaching.

    He also did powerful work with the Royal Southern Brotherhood (alongside Devon Allman and Cyril Neville)—a blues supergroup that had funk, fire, and family vibes.


    Seeing Him Live: Soul, Sweat, and Pure Connection

    I saw Mike Zito live on a summer night at a small outdoor venue. No ego. No gimmicks. Just a man, his guitar, and his truth. From the first note, he had the crowd in his pocket.

    He played like his life depended on it—because it once did. And that kind of connection? You can’t fake it.

    There’s something healing about a Mike Zito show. You leave lighter, like the blues didn’t weigh you down—it set you free.


    Why Mike Zito Matters Now More Than Ever

    In a genre that sometimes looks backward too much, Mike Zito is pushing forward. He honors the blues, but he’s not stuck in it. He writes about today. About struggles with addiction, relationships, purpose, and redemption.

    He’s also a fierce advocate for other musicians, producing albums for rising stars, running his own record label (Gulf Coast Records), and helping to build a stronger blues community.

    And through it all, he stays grounded. You can hear it in his songs. You can feel it in his solos. He’s not playing a role. He is the blues.


    Where to Start If You’re New

    Ready to ride with Zito? Start here:

    • 🎧 Gone to Texas – A masterpiece of blues storytelling.
    • 💿 Make Blues Not War – For a rowdy, high-energy ride.
    • 🔥 Resurrection – Deep and soulful modern blues.
    • 📺 YouTube: Search “Mike Zito live 2022” or “Resurrection live acoustic” and see the fire for yourself.

    More at mikezito.com


    Mike Zito plays like a man who’s lived every note—and sings like he’s survived to tell you about it. He’s a bluesman for the now, a truth-teller with a Stratocaster, and for me? He’s the kind of artist who makes you feel a little more human just by pressing play.

    Thank You

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Crazy Legs [video]

    Mike Zito – Crazy Legs [video]

    Mike Zito – Blues Rock With Grit, Heart, and the Soul of a Survivor

    I’ve been around the blues for most of my life, but the first time I heard Mike Zito, it felt different.

    It wasn’t just the tone—although, wow, that guitar tone is as rich and raw as they come.
    It wasn’t just the songs—even though they’re full of grit, honesty, and real-life experience.
    It was the feeling that I was listening to someone who had lived every single word.

    Mike Zito doesn’t just play the blues—he walks through fire with it and comes out stronger on the other side.


    From St. Louis Streets to International Blues Stages

    Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Mike Zito came up the hard way—playing bars, struggling with addiction, hitting rock bottom, and clawing his way back.

    His story isn’t just inspiring—it’s all over his music.
    And that’s what makes him stand out in today’s blues world: he’s completely, brutally real.

    He’s not a flashy shredder.
    He’s not a blues purist.
    He’s a songwriter, storyteller, and survivor—and his guitar just happens to be a weapon of emotional mass connection.


    The Sound: Blues Rock That Cuts Deep

    Mike Zito’s sound walks a tightrope between traditional blues, southern rock, and soulful Americana:

    • 🎸 His guitar work is bold, tasteful, and always serves the song.
    • 🎤 His vocals are raspy, heartfelt, and undeniably human.
    • 🎶 His songs dig into addiction, love, struggle, redemption, and the hard work of healing.

    Every Mike Zito album feels like a journal entry—and I’ve read every one of them cover to cover.


    Albums That Hit Me Right Where I Live

    If you’re new to Mike Zito, here’s where to start:

    • 💿 Pearl River (2009) – A collaboration with Cyril Neville. Soulful, funky, unforgettable.
    • 🎧 Greyhound (2011) – Raw, personal, and beautifully written.
    • 🎙️ Make Blues Not War (2016) – As rocking as it is bluesy. A total blast.
    • 🔥 Resurrection (2021) – His most vulnerable and spiritual album.
    • 🎸 Blood Brothers (2023, with Albert Castiglia) – Two masters, one powerful statement of unity and fire.

    And let’s not forget the Royal Southern Brotherhood years—Zito, Devon Allman, Cyril Neville… those records were gold.


    Seeing Mike Zito Live – A Blues Preacher With Fire in His Fingers

    I’ve seen Mike Zito live three times, and every show felt like a revival meeting and a therapy session rolled into one.

    He plays like the stage is his church, and the blues is his sermon.
    There’s no ego. Just a guy baring his soul and letting that Stratocaster do the rest.

    Whether he’s tearing through “Hell On Me” or breaking hearts with “Gone to Texas,” he brings everything he has, every single night.


    Why Mike Zito Still Matters

    In a music world full of plastic and pretense, Mike Zito is the real damn deal.

    • He’s an artist who’s lived the stories he tells.
    • He’s a bandleader who lifts others up.
    • He’s a fighter who made it back from the edge.

    And maybe most importantly, he’s helping keep the blues alive and evolving—mentoring younger players, producing killer records, and proving that honesty never goes out of style.


    Where to Start If You’re New

    Your Mike Zito starter kit:

    • 🎧 Greyhound – A personal favorite.
    • 💿 Resurrection – Deep, spiritual, and soulful.
    • 🎙️ Pearl River – Classic modern blues with heart.
    • 📀 Blood Brothers (w/ Albert Castiglia) – Blues-rock perfection.
    • 📺 YouTube: Search “Mike Zito live” or “Mike Zito Gone to Texas” for must-see performances.

    More at mikezito.com


    Mike Zito is proof that the blues isn’t just about the past—it’s about surviving the present and believing in the future.
    And every time he plays, I remember why I keep coming back to this music.

    🎸💙🔥

    Video

    Thank you

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Blues For The South Side

    Mike Zito – Blues For The South Side

    Mike Zito – Blues For The South Side
    Blues For The South Side – Mike Zito

    Mike Zito

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens, he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.

    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.

    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.

    In 2020, his European tour being cancelled, Zito flew to his home in Texas and started recording his album entitled “Quarantine Blues”. It was composed, recorded and mixed in 14 days with musicians in different cities, including a featured appearance from guitarist Tracii Lords, a founding member of L.A. Guns, collaborating from quarantine in Denmark. (source: wikipedia.com)

    Albums

    Blue Room (Zarkie Records, 1998; reissue: Ruf Records, 2018)
    America’s Most Wanted (Studio No Production, 2000)
    Slow It Down (Mike Zito, 2004)
    Superman (Mike Zito, 2006)
    Real Strong Feeling (Mike Zito/Marz Music, 2007 [2009])
    Today (Eclecto Groove, 2008)
    Pearl River (Eclecto Groove, 2009)
    Live From The Top (Mike Zito, 2010; reissue: Gulf Coast Records, 2019)
    Greyhound (Eclecto Groove, 2011)
    Make Blues Not War (Ruf Records, 2016)
    First Class Life (Ruf Records, 2018)
    Blues Caravan 2018 (with Vanja Sky, Bernard Allison) (Ruf Records, 2018)
    Rock ‘N’ Roll – A Tribute To Chuck Berry (Ruf Records, 2019)
    Quarantine Blues (Gulf Coast Records, 2020)
    Resurrection (Gulf Coast Records, 2021)

    Video

    Thank You

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

    Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

    Mike Zito

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.
    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.
    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.

    About this video:
    – Guitar & Vocals;
    “Handsome” Bob Bridges – Bass;
    Matthew Johnson – Drums & Vocals.
    http://www.mikezito.com/
    *Filmed in 1080p HD by Joan Mallotides aka BluesBroad 12/3/16

    Love this video subscribe BluesBoard channel on youtube click here.
    Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas

    Song Make Blues Not War is from the album with the same title, which has been released November 18 on Ruf Records distributed by the In Tune Music Group. Make Blues Not War is blues guitar gunslinger Mike Zito’s second studio album since leaving the mighty Royal Southern Brotherhood (Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Yonrico Scott, Charlie Wooton).

    It’s his 13th album overall and perhaps the most energetic of the bunch. He says:

    “Make Blues Not War is a really fun album, chock-full of blues with lots of guitar playing. It’s a very upbeat record with intense energy. Blues should make you feel good, and I think this record serves the purpose well.”

    Make Blues Not War - Mike Zito

    More Info

  • Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window

    Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window

    Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window from the new album “Quarantine Blues” on Gulf Coast Records.
    Available everywhere!
    https://www.mikezito.com/
    Amazon – https://amzn.to/3aoV3e6

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.
    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.
    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.
    In 2020, his European tour being cancelled, Zito flew to his home in Texas and started recording his album entitled “Quarantine Blues”. It was composed, recorded and mixed in 14 days with musicians in different cities, including a featured appearance from guitarist Tracii Lords, a founding member of L.A. Guns, collaborating from quarantine in Denmark. (source: wikipedia.com)

  • Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window

    Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window

    …from the album “Quarantine Blues” on Gulf Coast Records.
    Amazon – https://amzn.to/3aoV3e6

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.


    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.
    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.


    In 2020, his European tour being cancelled, Zito flew to his home in Texas and started recording his album entitled “Quarantine Blues”. It was composed, recorded and mixed in 14 days with musicians in different cities, including a featured appearance from guitarist Tracii Lords, a founding member of L.A. Guns, collaborating from quarantine in Denmark. (source: wikipedia.com)

    Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window
    Mike Zito – Looking Out This Window

    Thank You

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Blues For The South Side

    Mike Zito – Blues For The South Side

    Mike Zito

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens, he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.

    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.

    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.

    In 2020, his European tour being cancelled, Zito flew to his home in Texas and started recording his album entitled “Quarantine Blues”. It was composed, recorded and mixed in 14 days with musicians in different cities, including a featured appearance from guitarist Tracii Lords, a founding member of L.A. Guns, collaborating from quarantine in Denmark. (source: wikipedia.com)

    Albums

    Blue Room (Zarkie Records, 1998; reissue: Ruf Records, 2018)
    America’s Most Wanted (Studio No Production, 2000)
    Slow It Down (Mike Zito, 2004)
    Superman (Mike Zito, 2006)
    Real Strong Feeling (Mike Zito/Marz Music, 2007 [2009])
    Today (Eclecto Groove, 2008)
    Pearl River (Eclecto Groove, 2009)
    Live From The Top (Mike Zito, 2010; reissue: Gulf Coast Records, 2019)
    Greyhound (Eclecto Groove, 2011)
    Make Blues Not War (Ruf Records, 2016)
    First Class Life (Ruf Records, 2018)
    Blues Caravan 2018 (with Vanja Sky, Bernard Allison) (Ruf Records, 2018)
    Rock ‘N’ Roll – A Tribute To Chuck Berry (Ruf Records, 2019)
    Quarantine Blues (Gulf Coast Records, 2020)
    Resurrection (Gulf Coast Records, 2021)

    Thank You

    We appreciate your time and dedication to reading our article. For more of the finest blues guitar music, make sure to follow our Facebook page, “I Love Blues Guitar”. We share exceptional selections every day. Thank you once again for your continued support and readership.

  • Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

    Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

    Mike Zito - Make Blues Not War
    Mike Zito – Make Blues Not War

    Mike Zito

    Zito started singing at the age of five and by his late teens he had begun his career in the St Louis area music scene. In 2008, Zito made his international debut on the Eclecto Groove label.

    In 2012, Zito debuted his new band, ‘The Wheel’. The Wheel features Scot Sutherland on bass, Lewis Stephens on keyboards, drummer Rob Lee, and Jimmy Carpenter on saxophone. In 2014, Mike Zito and the Wheel’s album, Gone To Texas, was nominated for a Blues Music Award in the ‘Rock Blues Album of the Year’ category.
    In May 2018, Zito’s most recent album, First Class Life, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard’s Top Blues Albums Chart.
    In November 2019 Zito released the tribute album “Rock N Roll: A Tribute to Chuck Berry” on Ruf Records. The album contains 20 tunes featuring 21 guest guitarists: Joe Bonamassa, Walter Trout, Robben Ford, Sonny Landreth, Richard Fortus, Alex Skolnick, Joanna Connor, Anders Osborne, Ryan Perry, Ally Venable, Albert Castiglia, Luther Dickinson, Jeremiah Johnson, Tommy Castro, Tinsley Ellis, Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Jimmy Vivino, Kid Andersen, and introducing Charlie Berry the 3rd.

    About this video:
    – Guitar & Vocals;
    “Handsome” Bob Bridges – Bass;
    Matthew Johnson – Drums & Vocals.
    http://www.mikezito.com/
    *Filmed in 1080p HD by Joan Mallotides aka BluesBroad 12/3/16

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    Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas

    Song Make Blues Not War is from the album with the same title, which has been released November 18 on Ruf Records distributed by the In Tune Music Group. Make Blues Not War is blues guitar gunslinger Mike Zito’s second studio album since leaving the mighty Royal Southern Brotherhood (Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Yonrico Scott, Charlie Wooton).

    It’s his 13th album overall and perhaps the most energetic of the bunch. He says:

    “Make Blues Not War is a really fun album, chock-full of blues with lots of guitar playing. It’s a very upbeat record with intense energy. Blues should make you feel good, and I think this record serves the purpose well.”

    Make Blues Not War - Mike Zito

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