Michael Locke was raised in South Florida and began playing guitar when he was seven. Michael’s father was a jazz aficionado and saturated Michael with the genius of artists such as Lester Young, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Coleman Hawkins, Joe Pass, Wes Montgomery, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Sonny Stitt and, Michael’s mentors – Ira Sullivan and Joe Diorio.
At Bertram’s Hotel movie Michael attended the University of Miami, majoring in Jazz Guitar. But then he heard the Blues! He found that in Blues music he could completely and freely express himself.
He moved to San Francisco in the early 90’s and fell under the tutelage of his now close friend and longtime bluesman, Johnny Nitro. Thanks to Johnny’s encouragement, Michael developed his own style and set off on his own to front an electric blues trio.
Michael has played his blistering yet soulful guitar from coast to coast. He has performed with or opened for the likes of BB King, The Fabulous Thunderbirds, W.C. Clark, CoCo Montoya, Sonny Rhodes, Walter Trout, Ben E. King, Del Shannon, Little Anthony, Jimmy Johnson, Otis Rush and Chuck Berry.
Michael now calls Southwest Ohio his home and continues to receive praise as one of the premier blues guitarists in the area.
James Higgins – Bass Guitar
James is a true musical veteran. He started playing guitar in the 1960’s and bass guitar in 1970. He has performed in venues across the world while in the Air Force and has performed for many local and regional bands: THE PICTORIAN SKIFFELS, NATTY BUMPO, WIZZARDS, SKYWAY, BEAKAWAY, and OOZA featuring Hal Melia and Gary Getz. Those familiar with the Dayton blues scene will recognize James as longtime bassist for the popular LOW RENT BLUES BAND. He has continued his blues performances with Eddie King and The SWAMP BEE’S., POWERFUL STUFF, G. MILES AND THE HITMEN (house band at “Lucilles” Blues Club in Latonia Kentucky), GREGG CLARK AND THE ROYAL BLUES (competing in Memphis at “Kings Palace” in the International Blues Challenge).
Da’Rosa Hathaway Richardson – Keyboards
Da’Rosa Hathaway Richardson was born and raised in Dayton Ohio by his mother, sister, and brother. He began playing drums when he was 3! and became infatuated while sitting on the drums playing and watching or just listening to keyboard, piano and organ players like the great Nat King Cole, Donny Hathaway, Dino Kartsonakis, Joey DeFrancesco, Rudolph Stansfield, Keith Leak, Gary Lewis, Frank McComb, Jason White and PJ Morton. Da’Rosa attended the university of C.O.G.I.C. , P.A.W. , N.B.C.U.S.A.I. , Motown and Stax off and on studying Musicology and how to by a Levite. Da’Rosa Hathaway Richardson never wanted or had a dead man come out of the cemetery and tune or play his keyboard like Howlin Wolf but there is a man that came down and spiritually touched him and tuned his keyboard and ears back in nineteen and eighty this man who still yet lives – his name is Jesus Christ………”thanks for the gift!”