Big Boy Bloater

Big Boy Bloater is a well known figure on the blues and roots music scenes around the world - his unique and powerful style has thrilled audiences from London to Las Vegas and his peformances have built an enviable profile and following, not only from the roots crowds but from anyone that has ever witnessed his charisma and talent on stage.

As well as touring all over Europe, the middle-east, the USA and Canada, Big Boy Bloater has made numerous TV and radio appearances. In March '12 he was a guest on the Jo Whiley show on BBC Radio 2, chatting to Craig Charles (sitting in). In 2011 he recorded a live session and interview on the Jools Holland Radio 2 show and was a live guest on the Craig Charles Funk & Soul Show on BBC 6Music. Previous to that he recorded three live sessions for Mark Lamarr’s late night Radio 2 show ‘God’s Jukebox’ (Nov 06, Dec 08 & Jan 10) and two sessions for the Paul Jones R&B show. He spent a week as the house band on CH4’s Big Breakfast and has racked up many other national TV and radio appearances both home and abroad. He has played in some of the most famous venues in the world and has appeared at many major festivals worldwide.

Bloater has played guitar behind contemporary artists like Paloma Faith and Imelda May and continues to be a much sought after session player as well as being the guitarist du jour for visiting Blues, R&B and R&R legends (see Reviews and Collaborations below).

Bloater has it all; writing, performing, singing and playing and he comes with an amazing pedigree – he has a career that most guitarists would die for - but he continues to push the barriers and is constantly striving to produce bigger and better shows. He is a consummate professional and also a very nice guy!

With his new band 'Big Boy Bloater and the Limits' (launched 2011) Big Boy Bloater is building on his rhythm and blues roots, inventing a new, fresh sound – delivered in his unique, mesmerising and powerful style. He brings you brand new sounds from his own songbook, a stunning mix of swamp soul, dark blues and twang.

That Little Bit More History

Big Boy Bloater has been immortalised under the chapters ‘R&B Guitar Icons’ in the following books –

- ‘Billboard Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Music’

- ‘Rock & Pop – the Complete Story’

- ‘Blues – the Complete Story’

A vinyl 7” single, (‘Whammy!’ b/w ‘Double Whammy!’) was personally produced by Mark Lamarr in 2008, and quickly became a collector’s item. 100 copies were given away in a major BBC Radio 2 competition in November 2008 to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Mark Lamarr’s award-winning ‘Shake Rattle & Roll’ show.

Collaborations

Big Boy Bloater has also played guitar for music legends: Lloyd Price, Dennis Binder, Wanda Jackson, Ray Sharpe, Earl ‘Speedo’ Carrol, Harvey Fuqua, Eugene Pitt, Jimmy McCracklin, Rosco Gordon, Joe Houston, Big Jay McNeely, Hayden Thompson, Eddie Bo, Nappy Brown, Tommy Brown, Lazy Lester, Young Jessie, Big Al Downing, Billy Lee Riley, Frankie Ford, The Cleftones, The Teenagers, Jimmy Cavello, Hardrock Gunter, Roddy Jackson, Frankie Miller, Chuck Rio, Marvin & Johnny, The Eldorados, The Bobbettes, The Del Vikings, H-Bomb Ferguson, Hal Singer, The Medallions, Roy Gaines, Shirley Gunter, The Five Keys, Warren Storm, Barrence Whitfield, Eddy Clearwater, Bobby Brooks Hamilton (Jackie Wilson’s son), Sonny Burgess...and more!!

And a Little Bit of Fun

Big Boy Bloater was once asked by Sir Paul McCartney to record with him at Abbey Road.

Bloater once sat on a judging panel alongside Paul Gambaccini, Shakin’ Stevens, Zoot Money and the guy playing Buddy Holly in the west end show.

Quotes

”One of the great Blues men of our time”
Jools Holland, BBC Radio 2

“Bloater is a phenomenal guitarist!”
Mark Lamarr, BBC Radio 2

“I love this guy. He has a voice that sounds like it’s been soaked in turpentine for the last decade!”
Craig Charles, BBC 6 Music

“The next big thing in blues”
Total Guitar Magazine

“I'm a massive fan of Big Boy Bloater, he's a charismatic boy with a big voice”
Imelda May