Rusty Wright Bio
In 2004 Michigan guitarists Rusty and Laurie Wright put together the first incarnation of the group that would become the Rusty Wright Band. It was only the band's second show together when they opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd, a performance which garnered them a standing ovation and prompted Skynyrd guitarist Rickey Medlocke to exclaim "Dude - where the hell did YOU come from?"
Since then, Rusty, Laurie and their band have made the leap from regional favorite to enjoying international recognition and performing at some of North America's top blues festivals and music events. St. John Blues Festival promoter and Bluzapalooza founder Steve Simon described the Rusty Wright Band as "One of the most entertaining Blues bands in the country today." Their live blues and southern rock show has been described as "an energized blues storm."
With the release of their third CD slated for early 2011 and a firm foundation in place, Wright and his crew plan to continue broadening their horizons and their significant fan base by stepping up their tour schedule significantly both in the US and abroad.
In July, 2010 the band embarked on a successful commercial concert tour through Italy, sharing billing with Grammy-nominee Michael Burks [Alligator Records] followed by a tour of the Midwest and New England. In 2009 the band undertook an Armed Forces Entertainment tour, entertaining troops stationed at US military bases in South Korea and Japan.
For the band's 2006 recording debut Ain't No Good Life, [Rusty Wright Blues/Sadson Music] Wright enlisted the help of longtime friend and former Godsmack drummer Tommy Stewart for the recording. Garnering international acclaim and excellent reviews, Ain't No Good Life was named one of the year's top five albums by Midnight Special Blues radio in Paris, France.
In late 2008 the band filmed a live concert DVD for an audience of 300 dedicated fans who braved floods and 10-inches of torrential rain to attend the show, and in early 2009, the band's follow up CD, Playin' with Fire [Rusty Wright Band/Sadson Music] made the regional Billboard Top 10 chart, the iTunes Blues Charts, including top 10 rankings in several European countries, and the Roots Music Report Blues Charts.
Blues Matters Magazine, Europe's largest roots and blues publication dubbed the album "brilliant," and The El Paso Times described Playin' with Fire as "A smart collection of adrenalized modern blues that showcases not only Rusty Wright's considerable guitar chops but an obvious ability to fuse blues and rock in a way that draws from the former's traditions and the latter's high-voltage power." Playin' with Fire continues to receive regular spins on Sirius/XM radio's B.B. King's Bluesville station.
While the band's recordings have been generously lauded and applauded, the stage is where the group shines brightest. Fellow touring acts and talent buyers have been generous in praising the band's live show. Rick Raven of Rev. Raven & the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys said "The Rusty Wright Band should headline EVERY show they are on. This band is THAT good. Best I've seen in years."
White Mountain Boogie Fest promoter Brad Benton said they decided to book the Rusty Wright Band after hearing rave reviews about the band's performance at a festival in the US Virgin Islands. "I was told I absolutely HAD to book this act for our festival."
In addition to shows with Skynyrd and Burks, the Rusty Wright Band has shared stages and billing with an eclectic array of roots and rock acts including Etta James, Johnny Winter, Charlie Musselwhite, Leslie West & Mountain, Janiva Magness, Zac Harmon, Ronnie Baker Brooks, Coco Montoya, Blessid Union of Souls, Slaughter, Bettye LaVette, Walter Trout, Mark Farner (formerly of Grand Funk Railroad), Nick Moss and many others. The band often headlines at small theaters and concert venues.