Ronnie Earl should be considered a card-carrying member of the Boston Walk of Fame – one who blossomed from the Hub to entertain and influence fans all around the world. In this regard he joins a club that includes J. Geils Band, Aerosmith, Boston, the Cars, Extreme and not too many others. As the replacement for founding Roomful of Blues guitarist Duke Robillard in 1979, Earl would cut his own notch in the band over eight years. Leaving to form his own group, Ronnie Earl and the Broadcasters, the guitarist has never slowed down – releasing a long list of fine CD’s on a number of blues and jazz labels over 20 years. (For a jazzy flavor – try out “The Colour of Love” on Verve – one track features Gregg Allman). The latest release is a CD and a companion DVD called “Hope Radio.” This one was cut live in the studio at Wellspring Sound in Acton in April ’07 and it’s a tremendous display of Ronnie Earl’s improvisational skills and the tightness of the players around him. Especially fine is his nine-minute tribute “Blues for Otis Rush.” Check out stonyplainrecords.com for more info!
