Culberson hails from Savannah, Ga., where he worked the usual small clubs until Dr. Billy Alpert, the owner of the Cross Roads, the city's first blues bar, discovered him. Culberson and his trio, the EROK Band, were installed as house band and became an instant local favorite.
After an introduction to Bob Greenlee, president of King Snake Records, by another agent/club owner Tim Coy, the meeting led to Culberson traveling to Sanford, Fla. and signing a contract and recording his first King Snake CD, "Blues Is My Religion."
"No Rules to the Game," which was released in August of 1998, reflects the Georgian's progress over the last couple of years as well as some fine production by Ace Moreland and Warren King (who also plays rhythm guitar throughout the entire CD). Progress in the form of receiving opening slots with numerous recording artists such as: Jerry Portnoy; Carey Bell (two of Muddy Waters' harp players); Johnny Winter; Buddy Guy; John Mayall; Jimmy Dawkins; Casey Jones (Albert Collins); Roomful of Blues; Ted Nugent; Johnny Copeland and Etta James.
Wanting to hear a little Mississippi Delta? Then forward over to track six, Waters' "Honey Bee" and track nine, "Small Town." Some Chicago blues? Then "Why Did You Leave?" "High Steppin'" and "It's My Life, Baby." You say that you hope that there's also some Texas blues? Alas, three of the CD's finer cuts are played in the Ibanez TS-808 Tube Screamer mode, "I Promised Myself (I Wouldn't Drink No More)" "No Rules to the Game" and "If You Leave Me."
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This review is copyright © 2000 by Matt Alcott, and Blues On Stage, all rights reserved.