(DOVER, NJ, August 8, 2008) American Showplace Music (ASM) reported today, that Arizona’s HoneyBoy Dupree and Paris James have agreed to terms with the label to feature the two top dessert bluesmen on “American Roots Live Presents the Studio Masters”, the label’s showcase recordings series.

HoneyBoy Dupree is a New Brunswick, New Jersey native who relocated to Phoenix, becoming Arizona’s favorite son of the blues. A big man with a big sound, Dupree is a dynamic performer and songwriter. Whether he’s rocking the blues or putting it on a slow simmer, HoneyBoy Dupree is hot.

Paris James, born to music inside a Florida church, spent his early childhood in Georgia listening to his parents records. Then, found him self growing up in Phoenix singing and playing guitar. Today, Paris is an authentic, throw-back, blues performer, a master of the traditional delta blues guitar with an exceptionally, soulful voice.

Having signed the label’s Declaration of Independence, an agreement that assures each artist 100% ownership of their own songs, HoneyBoy Dupree and Paris James were chosen for their boundless talent, originality, abilities and vision.

The two bluesmen, accompanied by keyboardist “Big Mac” Mason, also of Phoenix, will fly to New Jersey in mid August to record with acclaimed producer Ben Elliott and co-producer Nasty Ned at legendary Showplace Studios in Dover.

While here, Paris James will perform live at Nasty Ned’s “Writers in Raritan” at West Brook, Wednesday August 20 in Bound Brook and join HoneyBoy Dupree and Mason on stage at “American Roots Live” at Rhythms, Thursday August 21 in Manville.

American Showplace Music is proud to add these two artistically significant bluesmen to its musical family tree. Release date for the milestone recordings is set for November.

The upstart independent record label, American Showplace Music, started in early 2008 as a launch pad for significant musical artists and is the vision of music producer Ben Elliott; musician and promoter Nasty Ned and Stephen A. Schiff, owner of Showplace Studios.

Understanding the 21st century music fan, American Showplace Music is dedicated to shaping the landscape of a new music environment and being a major source of great new music connecting fans with artists.

ASM’s first release, American Roots Live Presents the Studio Masters, Volume One, featuring Christine Martucci, Aster Pheonyx, John Powers and Nasty Ned, is now available everywhere music is downloaded and on CD at the label’s web site americanshowplacemusic.com, at all live shows and at select retail outlets.

The label is currently recording Corey Small for inclusion on American Roots Live Presents the Studio Masters.

HoneyBoy Dupree and the Smokehouse Players is a Phoenix-based band that came out of nowhere in 2001 for an upset victory in the Arizona Blues Showdown. Equally surprising is their new self-titled, self-released CD; it is much better than it has a right to be — a pleasant, entertaining mix of originals and well-worn covers. The disc kicks off with a killer show blues, “Anybody Seen My Baby,” with great instrumental work by guitarist Tim Finn (of Cold Shott – see above review). Following is a rollicking version of Willie Dixon’s “300 Pounds of Heavenly Joy” that showcases lead singer Sal Caffarello’s raspy, upfront vocals and a smokin’ organ solo from Patrick McDonald. The slow, late night blues of “Full Moon On Main Street” has a sleazy, back alley feeling to it, highlighted by the mournful wail of Rich Arnold’s saxophone. The vocals of Caffarello (aka HoneyBoy Dupree) are aptly suited for the Wolf number “Howlin’,” punctuated with Robert Turner’s subtle yet tasty harmonica riffs. Turner is also featured predominantly on the swampy “Walking Sin”; he never tries to dominate the band with his solos, yet his work is efficient, always complimenting the other band members’ sounds. Another notable original is the gospel-ish “Coming Home,” on which Caffarello sounds his most inspired; for my money, this cut is the highlight of the album, and is worth hearing over and over … as is the rest of the album. By the time you get to the end of the disc, with the closing slow blues “Need You So Bad,” you’ll be wondering “Who the heck are these guys?” — and trying to search them out. For more info, visit www.honeyboydupree.com.
April 2003

Bill Mitchell