Fathead

Fathead may be the best blues and roots rock bands to come out of Canada since Ronnie Hawkins hired the future-Band to become his backup group, The Hawks, in the mid-1950s. An ultra-tight ensemble, Fathead brings together the most respected musicians in the United States' northern neighbor to create an energetic blend of funk, soul and rockin' blues. "Real Blues" referred to the group's harp and guitar-dominated sound as "one of those rare, much sought after, but seldom achieved, chemical/spiritual reactions that happens when all the right ingredients come together: talent, personality, humour, united vision and a little bit of hoodoo/voodoo". "The Toronto Star" praised Fathead when it commented, "If the blues were a sports league, Fathead would be the equivelent of an all-star team". Fathead's self-titled debut album, released in 1995, was named one of the year's top five album at the Westcoast Blues Awards. Two years later, the group received a "Jazz Report" award as "Best blues group of the year". Fathead, featuring Al Lerman (harp, saxophone, vocals), John Mays (lead vocals), Teddy Leonard (guitar, vocals), Omar Tunnock (bass, vocals) and Ed White (drums, vocals), has become a perennial presence at the Maple Blues awards. In 1998, the band was nominated for six awards and received the award as "Electric group of the year". In 1999, Fathead was nominated in eight categories. Blues Weather, Fathead's second album, released by Electrofi/Festival in March 1998, received a Juno award as "best blues album of the year". Where's Your Head At? followed in 2000.