Also Known As (AKA) is a seven-piece band based in the Piedmont (NC) Triad. They play a wide variety of classic and current rock.  (Website www.alsoknown.com; E-mail scafeets@yahoo.com, Phone 336-510-2720)

Charlie Atwell.   This accomplished, self-taught, musician and songwriter's unique styles and tones are unlike any you have heard before. Charlie Atwell's soulful voice, along with his talent for making his guitar sing the rhythm and blues, have been awarded praise among many. Not only talented in the rhythm and blues genre, Charlie Atwell is also well known for his peerless styles and tones in other areas such as jazz, funk, country, rock and roll, and "boat-music".  (Website www.charlieatwell.com; E-mail charlie@charlieatwell.com)

Big Rick & the Bombers  To some it up in one word Ouch!! This band packs a punch whether they are playing in a small venue or a large concert stadium, From original songs and original composition's to cover tunes, the band adds a little something extra humph to the mix. The band plays all types of music specializing in Blues, R&B, Soul, all though you can catch them playing Funk, R&R, Beach, and Latin jazz it's all good. Perfect for weddings and private party's or just plain old listening this is the band.  (Website www.bigricksoul.com)

Blind Alley.   Straight from Siler City, these teens prove that they have what it takes to light up the night with firey Rock 'N Roll and cool you down with a stone cold shot of The Blues. With their multi-talented instrument attack they put on one heck of a show and can keep a crowd on the dance floor all night long. With their influences coming from the likes of Clapton, SRV, Jimi Hendrix, The Allman Brothers, B.B. King, Robert Cray, and a host of others, they will surely satisfy your taste for some good music and a great time.  (Website www.blindalleymusic.com; Contact Tim Henderson (Phone 919-548-4015, E-mail Blindalleymuzic@yahoo.com))

Blue Smoke Blues Band makes its own brand of house-rockin' blues that is sure to get the audience's feet moving onto the dance floor. They have been playing in and around the Triad since 1993 when the band was formed by brothers Phil and Mark Ridge. They were first place winners in the PBPS Amateur Talent Competition in 1999, and went on to represent the PBPS in the Blues Foundation's International Blues Challenge. They also won 2nd place in the PBPS Amateur Talent Competition in 1997.  (Website home.triad.rr.com/bluesmoke/blue_smoke_blues_band.htm; E-mail Bluesmoke@triad.rr.com)

Bluesville.   Playing soulful, energetic, rockin' blues, Bluesville is a four-piece blues band that plays a variety of original material plus their own unique interpretation of blues favorites.  (Website www.bluesville.org; E-mail bigleghambone@msn.com, Phone 704-639-9685 or 704-267-8027)

Blues World Order.  BWO has a style rooted in Rockin Blues with a big helpin' of West Coast Jump. The band plays original music and favorites from The Fabulous Thunderbirds, James Harman Band, Chuck Berry and many more.  (Website www.bluesworldorder.net; Contact Mike Wesolowski (Phone 336-785-3576, E-mail vespaman@netzero.net))

Skeeter Brandon. Skeeter has a voice that anybody who wanted to sing the blues would want, and he uses that voice to bring genuine emotion to the songs that burst from him.  (Website www.skeeterbrandon.com; Contact Will Beaty (Phone 919-349-8999, E-mail william@skeeterbrandon.com))

The Fairlanes. (Website www.thefairlanes.net; Contact Mark "Buddy Ro" Harrison (Office 336-812-9272, Mobile 336-442-2779, E-mail markh@rosefurniture.com)

Floydz Circle Band. This band can burn up some of the best covers by Delbert McClinton, John Hiatt, Johnny Lang and several more.  They placed 2nd in The Green Room's Battle of the Bands with 14 entries, and they did a Benefit for the PBPS awhile back.  The band has five originals with more on the way.  (Website www.FloydzCircleBand.com; Contact Robert Rogers (336-616-2024, E-mail Mumbofive@aol.com))

Matt Hill.  Matt Hill is a North Carolina vocalist/ guitarist/ bassist carrying on the deep Chicago Blues style with a touch of Boogie Woogie, Rockabilly, and a little Rock and Roll. Although only in his early twenties, he has shared the stage with Chicago Blues legends such as Bob Margolin, Hubert Sumlin, Willie "Big Eyes" Smith, the late great Carey Bell and Pinetop Perkins. Hill stuns audiences with his raw and completely uninhibited playing, singing and sometimes incoherent commentary. Matt's passion for the "Old School" comes out in every performance with fiery intensity. His authentic tone and command of the guitar is something you would expect from well seasoned veterans. Audiences are always left wanting more after every Matt Hill performance.  (Website www.matthillblues.com; Contact (336-601-4258, E-mail matthillbluesband@hotmail.com))

The King Bees. These international recording artists have rocked their blues from Mississippi juke joints to New York's Lincoln Center to European festival stages.  (Website kingbees.home.mindspring.com; Contact MellowDown Productions (P.O. Box 200, Todd, NC 28684, 336-877-2864, E-mail kingbees@webtv.net))

The Ladies Auxiliary is one of the hottest Blues Bands in the Southeast. Performing the perfect mixture of Blues, R&B, and Funk, they always leave the crowd wanting more. They started as a Wednesday night jam group and began public performances in December 1992. They host the area's long-running Wednesday Night Blues Jam and play at venues ranging from nightclubs to parties to festivals.  (Website www.ladiesauxiliary.net; Contact Shiela Klinefelter (336-282-3090))

Cyril Lance. Cyril Lance's career has included performing and writing almost everything from folk, Celtic, rock, jam-bands, jazz, fusion, free and of course...blues.  He plays heart-felt and emotional music, his writing is honest and thought-provoking, his experiences and influences diverse.  (Website www.dogtalkmusic.com; Contact Tina Terry, Sandbox Productions (Phone 336-286-8943 or 336-255-7109))

Armand Lencheck. Look for Armand's shows to be full of plenty of his own hot-rockin' originals, blues & swing with tributes and respect given to the masters of the guitar. Most recently Armand Lencheck has been touring and performing material from his second CD, "Too Much Is Just Enough" (New Moon Music).  (Website www.armand.iuma.com; Phone 919-933-5016, e-mail alenchek@aol.com)

Bob Margolin.  A supremely talented guitarist, singer and songwriter, Bob was schooled by none other than the great Muddy Waters. As a bandleader, soloist, songwriter, vocalist and in-demand session player, Margolin easily combines the rock and roll of Chuck Berry, the deep Chicago blues of Waters, and original songwriting reminiscent of great writers like Willie Dixon and Mose Allison.  (Website www.bobmargolin.com; Contact Blue Mountain Artists (Phone 704-522-9598), E-mail steadyrollin'@bobmargolin.com))

Peter May.  Recipient of a Regional Artist grant from the Forsyth County Arts Council and an Artist's Fellowship for Songwriting from the NC Arts Council, Pete started playing rock-n-roll when he first picked up a guitar at age 13. Flexing his chops from Bach to the Beatles to bluegrass and back to Led Zeppelin & Aerosmith, led him to the Rolling Stone's "Exile On Main Street" and he's been playing the blues ever since. A typical solo gig on a variety of stringed instruments would find him not only giving his own interpretation of vintage traditionals but hollering out his own "Black Coffee Blues," the title of his 2001 CD. Pete has put together two different but bluesy bands utilizing among others such area notables as Mike Wesolowski (harp & voc) and Bobby Kelly (b), known as THE ROUGH BAND & TERRAPLANE.  (Website www.petermaymusic.com; Phone 336-788-7145, E-mail petermay@petermaymusic.com)

Waymon "Buttermilk" Meeks.  Winner of the 2003 PBPS Blues Challenge, Waymon "Buttermilk" Meeks' roots-based blues performances demand that his audiences take notice. Taking his performances to both US and European venues, he is gaining popularity for his syncopated finger-styled guitar technique, fluid bottleneck attack, and a powerful voice strong enough to soften even the most skeptical ear. His music signature is uniquely identifiable with his blends of Delta and Texas styles of blues.  (Website www.buttermilkmeeks.com; E-mail waymon@buttermilkmeeks.com)

Memphis Jake and the Blues Biscuits is a local favorite that performs a diverse mix of Blues and Rock.  The band performs Blues from such artists as Muddy Waters, James Cotton, Johnny Winter, Gary Moore, Buddy Guy, Little Walter, W.C. Clark, Eric Clapton, Albert King, SRV, and the list goes on.  On the Rock side you will hear tunes from artists like Fats Domino, Van Morrison, Elvis, ZZ Top, Little Richard, The Beatles, and many more. (Website www.myspace.com/memphisjakeandthebluesbiscuits. Contact Michael Hunter (336-922-9110, E-mail leadbelly112@aol.com)

Mighty Lester and the Blues Kings.  A rocking and roaring eight-piece combo, North Carolina-based Mighty Lester and the Blues Kings can get a crowd on their feet within seconds of hitting the stage with their mix of some West Coast Jump, Kansas City Swing, Texas and Chicago Blues, and a dash of Stax Soul.  (Website www.mightylester.com; Contact Lenny Terenzi (Phone 919-434-4323, E-mail mightylester@mightylester.com))

Miles Blues Band. has competed for several years in the PBPS Blues Challenge. They play Chicago and Delta Blues -- Otis Rush, Buddy Guy, Junior Wells, Memphis Slim, Sonny Boy Williamson, Albert King and Muddy Waters; some West Coast Blues such as T-Bone Walker, Texas Blues: Albert Collins, Freddy King and Johnny Copland and some Tab Benoit. The band includes Miles Mondragon (guitar and vocals), Ezra Kelly (drums), Steve Haiden (bass and vocals), and Robert Slater or Terry Vun Connon (guitar or lap steel.)  (Contact Gustave Mondragon "Miles" (Cell: 336-327-7013, Work: 336-387-2536, Home: 336-638-5639, E-mail mondragongustave@yahoo.com)

The Misdemeanors.  Winner of the 1995 PBPS Blues Challenge, the Misdemeanors have played all over North and South Carolina for the past twelve years. They have performed with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Delbert McClinton, Chubby Cary, Bobby Bluebland, Bob Margolin, Little Milton, and Pinetop Perkins, just to name a few. With Big Tommy Yow on guitar and vocals, Joe Dean on drums and vocals, Chris Caroll on bass and vocals and Matt Hill on guitar and vocals, they raise the roof with all styles of electrified blues going strong since 1994. Hard driving blues.  (Website www.misdemeanors.bravehost.com, www.myspace.com/misdemeanorsblues; Contact Tommy Yow (Phone 336-991-1531, E-mail tommyyow@isp.com))

Not Dead Yet.  The Not Dead Yet blues band features blues jam regulars Mike "Curly" Carter, Tom Veltri, Germain "Buzz" Saunders, Casey Hazelman, and John Amberg. Having met and played together at the local jams, and sharing a passion for the blues, it was only natural that they take the next step, which in this case is the Not Dead Yet blues band.  (Website www.notdeadyetblues.com)

Rebus Affair is a group of top-flight singers and musicians who deliver a sophisticated blend of Blues and Classic Soul.  Lead singer Jazelle takes center stage with a band delivering the power that only a large, experienced group can provide. Seasoned veterans who have played with some of the biggest names in R&B fill the rhythm and horn sections, providing the feeling and style of legendary groups like the MGs and the Memphis Horns.  When presenting the full 9-piece lineup, Rebus Affair takes on the personality of a modern day Rhythm & Blues Revue.  (Website www.rebusaffair.com; Contact Len (Phone 336-327-4471, E-mail Len@Rebusaffair.com))

Abe Reid & the Spikedrivers is a rock-n-roll-get-down-funky-blues-psychodelic-boogie-woogie band. They overwhelm audiences of every background with vintage drums, saucy upright bass, some screamin' harmonica, poundin' rhythm guitar, and raspy-scattin', howlin' vocals. The band's inspiration goes way back, but their twist and spin on old music takes on a life of its own. This old music, along with the band's new original tunes, is the concoction fulfilling Abe's vision. The show is a "musical stew," made with a dash of blues, a splash of funk, and a pinch of rock-n-roll.  (Website www.abereid.com; Contact Jan at Maiden Meredith Promotions (Phone 704-883-0446, E-mail abereid@abereid.com))

The Revelators is composed of a group of seasoned musicians who have come together to create a band that is both unique and accessible. They have pulled a collection of tunes from both well- and lesser-known artists and songwriters that will put a smile on your face and make your body want to move. The styles represented include 50's through contemporary blues from the likes of Koko Taylor, Kim Wilson, and Susan Tedeschi as well as rockers such as John Hiatt, Delbert McClinton and Wet Willie.  (Website www.bobsessions.net/revelators; E-mail revelators@bobsessions.net)

Roy Roberts. Roy Roberts' four-decade plus career has included stints in R&B, gospel and country. But his recent successes - including multiple Living Blues awards for his Rock House records productions - suggest he's found his home in blues. He plays a mean guitar and is a first-rate singer/songwriter.  (Website www.rockhouserecords.com; Contact Rock House Records Inc. (P.O. Box 14686, Greensboro, NC 27415, Phone 336-230-2243, Fax 336-274-0564, E-mail royrober@bellsouth.net))

The Rythm Brothers is an 8-piece rhythm and horn band that plays predominately R&B, but also some Carolina Beach Music. Their leader is a native of North Carolina and was the lead singer with The Band of Oz for 18 years, and also performed with The Embers. Their Bari Sax player was a former member and arranger for Clarence Gatemouth Brown. Their Tenor player played in New Orleans for over 20 years, and was a former arranger for the US Marine Band. (Website www.therhythmbrothers.com)

Jon Shain is a veteran singer-songwriter who's been turning heads for years with his words, his fiery acoustic guitar work, and his evolved musical style - combining improvised piedmont blues with bluegrass, swing, and ragtime.  (Website www.jonshain.com; Contact Flyin' Records (3539 Hope Valley Rd, Durham, NC 27707, E-mail flyinrex@jonshain.com))

T-Hammer is a "power trio" based in Greensboro, NC - the Triad. The music played by the band includes a variety of blues classics, T-Hammer original songs, and 70's rock. The band consists of Hans Berggren, guitar and vocals, Len Scaffidi, bass, and Rusty Wiggs, drums.  (Website www.t-hammer.com; MySpace www.myspace.com/thammerrocks; Phone 336-790-2370, E-mail info@t-hammer.com)

Russ Wilson and His Mighty Mighty Men.  This five-piece jump blues band (guitar, bass, drums, piano and sax)has been together for just over two years, playing a lot of Big Joe Turner, Louis Jordan, Louis Prima, Wynnonie Harris, Bill Haley, etc.  (Website www.everswinging.com; Phone 828-388-1645)