Vintage Florida
Swamp and Hoo Doo Blues

The Smokehouse Blues Band has come of age. With four seasoned musicians on stage, the blues never sounded so good! The strong rhythms of the band make it impossible not to tap your feet and get up and dance!
With over 1000 appearances since 1990, Smokehouse has been gigging strongly in various nightclubs, out-door festivals and in concert with blues legends Taj Mahal, Koko Taylor and Noble 'Thin Man" Watts. National recording artists such as Kenny Neal, James Peterson, Lester Chambers (Chambers Brothers), Floyd Miles, Dereck Trucks, members of Foghat and the King Snake All-Stars often make stage appearances with the band.
SMOKEHOUSE is fully equipped to entertain from clubs to concert halls. Their Second album, SWAMP JIVE- (ICH-9017) was recorded at the King Snake Studios and released on Ichiban records "'Wild Dog' series. This album compliments their first album "LET'S SWAMP AWHILE" (ICH-9003), avid blues collectors will prefer this album off the shelf and on the turntable. The band is currently cooking up their third original "FLORIDA SWAMP" styled blues release.
The long awaited deeply rooted 3rd SMOKEHOUSE CD is finally here. It lets you know what Florida Swamp and Hoo Doo Blues is all about. It's Bluesy, Sexy, Soulful, Spooky, Humorous and as Swampy as Hell! Believe me the music on this CD is very deep! " CADILLAC IN THE SWAMP" (KS-026).
The original SMOKEHOUSE sound is a gumbo of swamp and delta roots, Jimmy Reed, Muddy Waters, Lazy Lester, Salis Hogan, Slim Harpo and Lightning Slim. To this recipe they added the uptown sound of Wynonie Harris, Louis Jordon, John Lee Hooker and Clarence Edwards, creating a unique taste that can only be described as ...

"GENUINE SMOKEHOUSE FLAVOR"

AARON "Ba-Bro Pop" WATSON
Drums

Aaron, known to most as "Ba-Bro" began playing drums as a youngster in his hometown, Daytona Beach, Florida. At the age of 15, he began playing the nightclub circuit with his high school band director, Gideon Pettway. As a teenager, he also played in bands for high school proms both in and out of town. Deemed the best drummer in the area and the teacher of many locals, including John Livingston, Lorenzo Laws, Leroy "Bo Pete" Robinson, Robert Popwell, The Johnson Brothers of DeLand, and son, Aaron L., Aaron's professional career can be traced from playing in an officer's club while in the Army to "drumming" for recording greats, Rufus Thomas, Joe Simon, Joe Davis' revival group, Wilbur Harrison, The Drifters, Betty Swann, Arthur Conley, Bill Stewart, The Temptations, Ollie, and others. Having been a member of The American Federation of Musicians, Aaron has made stage appearances with Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, and Martha and the Vandellas, to name a few. On the homefront, Aaron played beachside for many years with The Duke Gainous Quartet, Lawrence "Bird" Burdine, Lindsay Morris and the Universals, and several other local jazz and pop bands.

ROBERT "Lightning Boy" THOMAS
Guitar and Lead Vocals

A native of New Smyrna Beach, Florida, Robert has played the Florida Club circuit since 1973. As guitarist-vocalist for the popular Central Florida band 'The Payne Bros.,' his first musical efforts were in the Southern Rock Tradition. A collector of vintage blues records, his interest in traditional South-Eastern blues grew along with his desire to play in this style. In the spring of 1987 he formed 'Town Crier" and recorded several sides for King Snake Records featuring performances by Kenny Neal and Lucky Peterson of Alligator Records. His association with King Snake Records led to an introduction to the legendary Lazy Lester and Robert's participation in Lester's 1988 tour as his guitarist and opening act. Robert can be heard on the Alligator release of Lazy Lester's "Harp and Soul." In 1989, Robert toured the East Coast blues club circuit with the Florida blues quartet "Blue House," which frequently featured the legendary Noble "Thin Man' Watts on saxophone. Robert's current band SMOKEHOUSE, formed in late 1989, continues to serve up hot FLORIDA SWAMP style blues.

ANTHONY "Pack Rat" THOMPSON
The Hoo Doo Man Lead Vocals And Harmonica

Born in Lake Helen, Florida and raised in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, "Pack Rat's' exposure to the blues came at an early age due to his mother's interest in the blues greats. Listening to the records of John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed and Howlin' Wolf and hitting the juke joints and roadhouses in South Florida which featured live blues entertainment, made this music just a part of everyday life. But the music of Sonny Boy Williamson is what influenced 'Pack Rat" the most as a young man and sent him in the direction of being a musician. "Pack Rat" began his professional career as a drummer in the south Florida area in the 70's where he and Robert Thomas met as members of a local soul band. But 'Pack Rat" soon gave up the drums in favor of the harmonica and years later it was a common interest in roots blues music that brought Robert and he together again when SMOKEHOUSE was formed.

KENNETH SLY
Bass Guitar

Born in New York City in 1961. Began playing guitar at the age of 9, but switched to trumpet after his older brother broke his electric guitar. Soon Kenny started playing trumpet in middle and high school band but saw a Live Funk group playing which caused him to pick up the bass in 1976. His influences range from the blues to funk heavy metal and even Latin and reggae. Kenny got his professional start with music playing in bands on military bases on the island of Puerto Rico. After years of playing in the Daytona area, in 1995 he joined with SMOKEHOUSE and is now the newest member of SMOKEHOUSE.

!!!CATCH THE SPIRIT OF SMOKEHOUSE!!!

Edge Of The Swamp
order # (KS-044)

Cadillac In The Swamp
order # (KS-026)

Smokehouse Swamp Jive
order # (ICH-9003)

Let's Swamp Awhile
order # (KS-SH1)

To order Smokehouse CD's, Tee Shirts, calendar updates, 
get on our mailing list, and product information contact:

Smokehouse
1139 Jefferson St.
New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168
USA
(386) 423-4728