Rusty Wright Band

The son of a blues record-collecting father and a gospel-singing mother, Flint, Michigan native Rusty Wright has spent most of his life on the road and in the recording studio honing his singular take on improvisation-heavy blues rock.

Rusty Wright is a masterful lyric storyteller, guitarist, vocalist, and producer. This Billboard Top 5 artist's sound is a hot fusing of Texas-style blues; driving boogie and Southern guitar rock. The band’s lineup includes Rusty on guitar and lead vocals, wife Laurie LaCross-Wright on guitar and lead/harmony vocals, Billy Agner on bass/harmony vocals, and Vail Hayes on drums.

Wright’s sound assimilates everything from the passion and flamboyance of SRV, to the cool riffs and right-in-the-pocket grooves of Chicago blues guitarist Hubert Sumlin and Freddy King, AKA “The Texas Cannonball”, to the intricate harmonies of the Allman Brothers, with the occasional indulgence of including one of Wright’s interesting musical ‘left turns’. It’s all blended with the forthright nature of Rusty’s world-weary (yet hopeful), plight-of-the-common-man lyrics. This ain’t your granddad’s blues. Call it contemporary blues, call it blues rock, southern rock, driving boogie, jam blues, blues-infused rock…. It’s all that… just not all at the same time. Call it whatever you want. As Rusty likes to say “It doesn’t matter what you call it. If it sounds good, it IS good.”

Wright’s songs run the gamut. Songs like Trouble’s Always Knockin’, Devil Man Blues, and Goin’ to NOLA follow the traditional Blues path, while the powerful No Man is an Island was inspired by a story about an autistic child. No One Cares at All touches on human trafficking while Devil Music and Burnin’ Precious Time unleash the more rock-oriented side of Wright’s personality. Black Hat Boogie is an ode to cyber pirates and The Last Days of Whitey Malone is a roller coaster ride of a song about the misfortunes of a guitarist named Whitey who caught the eye of a club owner’s girlfriend. Gonna Come a Day, a tongue-in-cheek song about an old crush, became a top finalist in the International Songwriting Competition in 2015.
In his home state of Michigan, Rusty Wright was hailed as the most compelling blues rock act to emerge from the state in a decade, garnering accolades from the likes of Buddy Guy; Charlie Musselwhite; W.C. Clark; members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and Molly Hatchet as well as concert and festival promoters worldwide.

Formed in 2004, the band’s second show was opening for Lynyrd Skynyrd. They went on to support artists like Buddy Guy, Etta James, Johnny and Edgar Winter, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Leslie West & Mountain, and before long the band was headlining many of the festivals they performed at. An Armed Forces Entertainment tour took the band to military bases in South Korea and Japan and the band performed at prestigious blues and music festivals across the US and Europe, including Telluride Blues & Brews (CO); Riverbend Music Fest (TN); Clearwater Sea Blues Fest and Bonita Blues Fest (FL); Bayfront Blues Fest (MN); Bluesfest International (Canada); Jimiway Blues Fest (Poland); Torre Alfina Blues Fest and Liri Blues Fest (Italy); and the St. John Blues Fest (USVI).

The band’s discography includes five studio albums and several live albums. “Hangin’ at the DeVille Lounge” (2022) reached #4 on the Billboard Blues chart and spent multiple weeks at #1 on the Hit Tracks Top 100 chart (Netherlands). The song ‘No Man is an Island’ was named The Red Carpet Music Awards Best Song of the Year – All Genre, Original (Netherlands). “Wonder Man” (2015) reached #8 on Billboard’s Blues Chart and was also nominated for Album of the Year by Vintage Guitar Magazine alongside Jeff Beck, Joe Bonamassa, David Gilmour of Pink Floyd and Sonny Landreth.

Television appearances include a syndicated PBS concert series (Backstage Pass) and international, national, and regional television programs. Media coverage also includes features in international, national and regional newspapers and magazines/Ezines such as Vintage Guitar, Blues Blast Magazine, Blues Matters (UK), Melody Maker, Florida Jazz & Blues, All About Jazz, and Performer Magazine.

“The Rusty Wright Band's electrifying performance took us on an unforgettable musical journey.” Clermont Performing Arts Center

“Over the past decade, Michigan hasn’t produced a more compelling rock-infused blues outfit.” John Sinkevics,
LocalSpins.com

"You don't need to take ---- from anybody. You're great." Buddy Guy

“Rusty you guys were smokin' tonight. Bravo!” Charlie, Musselwhite

The crew here at Concept Production can’t wait to work with you folks again. W we had an incredible time at Gasparilla [Pirate Fest] in Tampa. Angelo Patane, Concept Production Events and Services, LLC

"A powerhouse of blues that thrilled the crowd." Fort Pierce Jazz & Blues Society

"I thought RWB was the hit of the day," Larry Lisk, presenter, WMNF's 'Mo Blues' show [2018 Clearwater Sea Blues Festival]

"The Rusty Wright Band is just simply amazing and a must be seen, heard and completely experienced to truly appreciate these phenomenal musicians enjoying their craftmanship." Lou Phoenix, Phoenix Radio/2 Brothers Hoodoo Lounge

"The Rusty Wright Band's fine mix of blues, rock and pop won them a RIOTOUS encore from the assembled music FANS." Earl's Hideaway Lounge & Tiki Bar

"You sounded absolutely brilliant." Shane Lawler, Director, Lkld Live

"They were awesome. Easy to work with, and great people. You won't be disappointed. We certainly weren't!"
Kevin J. Barry, Bonita Blues Festival

“We Love you and Rusty! We hope to have you at Torre Alfina Blues Festival more and more times!” Torre Alfina Blues Festival, Aquapendente, Italy

“Only the best d*** blues band in the land...” Roger Dresden, Livingston Arts Council

“One of the BEST blues guitarists you'll ever hear!” John Galvin, Keyboardist, Molly Hatchet

" Rusty, Laurie and the band are one of the top acts on the road," Brent Stockton, VanGarde Arts

"Rusty Wright gained a whole slew of new fans with his smokin’ hot guitar and great blues songs. His stage manager Bob Willie said it ranked in his Top 10 acts of all-time at the Unum Stage [20+ years]." Bob Payne, entertainment editor, The Chattanoogan (Riverbend Music Festival)

“Dude – Where the hell did YOU come from?” Rickey Medlocke, Guitarist, Lynyrd Skynyrd

“They are the embodiment of what The Blues is all about. Some the best blues I've ever heard.” Craig Martin, executive director, Pix Theatre

"I have been producing blues concerts and festivals all over the world for over 20 years and I have never seen an audience reaction like I just saw this past Saturday night. The Rusty Wright Band was my opening act and they came out of the gate with an incredible atomic energy that brought everyone to their feet. Within the first minute of their first song they had thousands of people up and dancing.” Steve Simon, St. John Blues Festival

“As I looked around I swear that in my history at the fest I have never seen this many people gather at the "small" stage for an afternoon show. Everyone who had feet was up dancing and enjoying the show.” John Blueshammer, www.bluemondaymonthly.com (Bayfront Blues Festival)

“Such a sophisticated mix of talent, dedication, and personality! Everyone is talking about how much they enjoyed themselves!” Ontonagon Theatre of Performing Arts

“This band is one of the hottest Blues bands to ever grace the stage.... Rusty is a guitar virtuoso and the rest of the band members are just as amazing” Swartz Creek Performing Arts Center

“In our seven-year history we have never repeated an artist from outside of our local area. We had so many requests for these folks that we had little choice but to bring this fiery Michigan blues band back to Marquette!” Marquette Blues Festival

"The band was terrific, and was named as the favorite by many of our attendees." Great Northern Blues Society

“The Rusty Wright Band was the crowd favorite at this year's festival.” Keith Day, organizer of Blues by the Bay

“You drew our biggest crowd of the season and got them up and dancing without even having to ask.” Swartz Creek Fine Arts Association

“Between acts I overheard an audience member say “I had no idea that this group was opening for Etta James and I have never heard them before but that performance alone was worth the price of admission. Rusty Wright knocked the socks off our audience.” Christina Bellows, director, The Whiting

"Very few can compare with the professionalism, talent, positive attitude and flexibility exhibited by your band. It was a pleasure to work with true industry professionals.” Biker Florida Magazine & Event Productions (Bikers, Blues & BBQ)

“Rusty’s guitar licks have a way of going from the tip of your toes out through the top of your head.” Gary Eckhart, Blue Monday Monthly (Smokin’ in Steele BBQ & Blues Festival)

“I was completely blown away by the band. They are a real treasure.” Kirby Milton, Old Town Blues Festival

“An energized blues storm.” Doug Pullen, The Flint Journal