Cameron, front man for the Chris Cameron Band, has already opened for heavyweights W.C. Clark, Roomful of Blues, Debbie Coleman and Corey Stevens. And this was before he turned 18. Cameron, 20, from Alma, Ark. has won the 1997 Blues Foundation's 14th annual International Blues Talent Competition declaring him the best-unsigned blues artist in the world. In addition, Cameron was awarded the 1997 Albert King Award for the most promising guitar player earlier in the competition. For that, he won a plaque and an ES335 from Gibson Musical Instruments, the event's principal sponsor. He then took first place in the competition of 37 unsigned acts, performing solo acoustic. With the win came the opportunity to open the 1998 W.C. Handy awards, which Cameron did with a three-song performance. He included a rendition of "Beale Street Blues," penned by the composer for whom the ceremony is named.
A sincere stab at the Jimi Hendrix's classic "Izabella" is included on "Cures What Ails Ya." Cameron's a decent guitarist who, with time and touring, should grow into a seasoned bluesman.
(501) 471-7074
This review is copyright © 1999 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.
|