Artists:Hamilton Loomis

If blues, soul, and rock can be said to form a triangle, you’ll find Hamilton Loomis right in the center of it”, says Guitar Player Magazine. An apt description, as Loomis is one of the young artists at the forefront of bringing blues into the 21st century and redefining it for a contemporary audience. He has been bridging the gap between generations of music-lovers both in the U.S. and around the world. His new release, Ain’t Just Temporary, finds Loomis masterfully blending his myriad influences, at once forging ahead into new musical territories while maintaining a strong connection to the blues legends that took him under their wings at a young age.

Born and raised in Galveston, Texas, Hamilton was first hooked on music through his parents’ extensive collection of blues, rock, and soul records. Hamilton honed his multi-instrumental chops early, learning drums, piano, guitar, bass and harmonica by his early teens, and performing as part of his family’s doo-wop group.

At age sixteen he went backstage to meet Bo Diddley, and before the night was over Hamilton was onstage playing alongside the legend. Since that initial meeting, Diddley has become a friend, mentor, and supporter. “INNOVATE, DON’T IMITATE”…Diddley’s words continue to inspire Hamilton and fuel his desire for originality. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member said of Loomis, “You got to put some seasonin’ in what you’re doin’, and this boy’s got the whole salt shaker!” Diddley contributes his unmistakable voice and funky tremolo guitar to “You Got To Wait,” a tune he and Hamilton co-wrote for Ain’t Just Temporary.

Other Texas blues legends such as Johnny Copeland, Gatemouth Brown, Joe “Guitar” Hughes, and Albert Collins also schooled him early on in the finer points of the music, recognizing the youngster’s talent and potential. By the time he turned eighteen, Hamilton had performed in front of thousands at the Delta Blues Festival, and he was writing, arranging, and performing his own material. He released his first CD, Hamilton, in 1994, which received a Grammy Nomination for "Best Contemporary Blues Album". A series of self-released CDs followed, including 1996’s Just Gimme One Night, 1999’s All Fired Up, which the UK’s Blues Matters said was “so strong and confident that it has your vote two bars in.” Hamilton’s 2002 release, Live-Highlights, captured what his crowd-pleasing show “is all about, and that is powerful Blues, Funk and Soul,” according to Twelve Bar Rag magazine. “There is not enough room here to point out all the good things about Live-Highlights!” Read More....