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WASHINGTON, DC – The Nighthawks, one of the premier American roots bands of the last four decades, have announced the February 9 release of Last Train to Bluesville on Rip Bang Records, recorded live and acoustic at the Sirius/XM Satellite Radio studios in Washington, DC. The new album features down-home versions of 10 blues classics from such artists as Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, Slim Harpo, Chuck Berry, Sonny Boy Williamson and James Brown, among others. Recorded live with the intimate feeling of a back porch setting, Last Train to Bluesville bristles with all the energy of a live gig and the world-class performances that fans from around the world have come to expect from The Nighthawks. 

Last Train to Bluesville follows the band’s universally-lauded American Landscape album released in early 2009, which generated rave reviews from the press and substantial airplay both at blues and Americana radio stations. 

The new album also serves as a swan song for long-time member, drummer Pete Ragusa, who is departing the band to follow other pursuits. Joining the band on drums and vocals is veteran DC-area musician Mark Stutso, who’s played with a host of blues, rock and roots legends, including a recent long-running spot as drummer with former Nighthawk guitarist Jimmy Thackery and the Drivers.

“It's been an incredibly wild 35-year ride with Pete,” said Mark Wenner, founding member and singer/harmonica player of The Nighthawks. “I wish him the very best in his new endeavors and he will be missed. We are going to make the most of the situation and with the addition of Mark Stutso on drums and vocals, we will be restructuring every- thing but keeping the spirit alive in which the band was conceived. The Nighthawks will rock on.” 

“After 35 years of putting my body and soul into The Nighthawks, it’s time to take the opportunity to move on,” said Ragusa in a statement, “and work on the projects and make the records I’ve always wanted to make but haven’t had time to do.” Ragusa added that he looks forward to producing other artists as well as continuing to perform as a sideman in the Washington, D.C. area. In closing, Ragusa said, “Finally, thanks to my musical brother, Mark Wenner, for the partnership we’ve enjoyed all these years... and before Mark, to my parents for buying me that first snare drum."

In addition to Mark Wenner on harp and vocals and Pete Ragusa on drums and vocals, the band lineup on Last Train to Bluesville includes Paul Bell on guitar and vocals and Johnny Castle on bass and vocals. The set list for the new CD includes versions of a number of songs that have become “standards” in a Nighthawks set, as well as several that fans may not have heard in some time.

As always, The Nighthawks will continue to tour constantly all over the world, with special dates including a CD release show on February 13 at the Ramshead Tavern in Annapolis, Maryland; a series of Florida dates in March; and a European tour in May. 

The Nighthawks are booked by Blue Mountain Artists www.bluemountainartists.com.

Review By Ron W (In A Blue Mood)

Nighthawks Spin Blues Unplugged But True.

It has been a long ride for drummer Pete Ragusa with the Nighthawks. “Live at Bluesville” (Rip Bang Records) recorded for Bill Wax’s XM-Sirius program, is Ragusa’s swan song for the Hawks as Ragusa ends a 35 year stint as drummer for this deservedly popular blues and roots band. He will be replaced by Mark Stutso, leaving harmonica player and singer Mark Wenner the sole remaining member of the band from its early days. Bassist Johnny Castle and guitarist Paul Bell are now well established in the band.

On this visit to Bill Wax at XM’s Washington DC studios, they Nighthawks unplugged which provided a more intimate, but no less fervent, context for a number of songs that are well established in the band’s repertoire. Opening tunes with Wenner handling the vocals include a swinging rendition of “The Chicken & the Hawk,” followed by Muddy Waters’s “Nineteen Years Old,” with some very solid slide from Bell. Ragusa sings the James Brown raver “I’ll Go Crazy,” with Wenner wailing on harmonica. Johnny Castle takes the gravelly vocal on Bo Diddley’s “You Don’t Love Me,” with Wenner taking the lead on Slim Harpo’s “Rainin’ in My Heart,” (I know Peppermint Harris wrote it), a performance in which the unplugged format really enhances the performance. It is followed by a lovely rendition of Muddy Waters’ “I Can’t be Satisfied,” with more nice slide from Bell who with Wenner takes the harmony vocal behind Castle on Chuck Berry’s “Thirty Days.” The vocal mike returns to Wenner for solid renditions of Rice Miller’s “Mighty Long Time,” with some very evocative harp; Little Walter’s Temperature,” retitled here “High Temperature”; and “Rollin’ & Tumblin’ modeled after the Baby Leroy Foster Trio recording with Muddy and Little Walter, although not nearly as raucous as Foster’s original two-sided 78.

This is a fun disc with a change of pace as the band handles songs that will be very familiar to the Nighthawk’s many fans world-wide. Ragusa has always been an exceptional drummer of considerable range and taste, and on this recording plays a snare drum, ably propelling these very ingratiating performances on a delightful album. He will be fortunately engaging in a variety of projects in the Washington DC area, so those fortunate enough to live around will still have opportunities to enjoy his playing.

Tracklist 

1.The Chicken and the Hawk 4:57
2.Nineteen Years Old 4:15
3.I'll Go Crazy 2:55
4.You Don't Love Me 3:18
5.Rainin' in My Heart 3:54
6.Can't Be Satisfied 3:52
7.Thirty Days 3:38
8.Mighty Long Time 4:58
9.High Temperature 3:14
10.Rollin' and Tumblin' 5:20 

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About The Nighthawks

For more than 30 years, The Nighthawks have entertained audiences all over the world with their unique blend of blues, rock, soul, R&B, rockabilly and swing. Their hard driving, soulful, and sometimes raucous live performances earned them a reputation as "the world’s best bar band." They've played along side legends that include Muddy Waters, BB King, Gregg Allman, Pinetop Perkins, John Lee Hooker (and more) and have helped launch the careers of numerous blues artists.

Throughout their career, The Nighthawks have released more than 20 albums and have toured the U.S., Canada, Europe and Japan. They play a wide variety of music that has appeal to a diverse audience. 

The group is made up of four extremely high caliber performers: Mark Wenner (vocals and harmonica), Pete Ragusa (drums and vocals), Paul Bell (guitar and vocals), and Johnny Castle (vocals and bass). 

The Nighthawks currently play 175-200 shows a year and are considered one of the best and most active blues bands around. In recent years, the band has also received their share of TV exposure, appearing first on the show “Homicide” on NBC and then on the HBO program “The Wire.”

In 2004, The Nighthawks made a change to their lineup - when long time members, Mark Wenner (harp/vocals) and Pete Ragusa (drums/vocals), were joined by Paul Bell (guitar/vocals) and Johnny Castle (bass/vocals). This new lineup transformed what was already an internationally respected blues band into a highly energetic and extremely versatile musical powerhouse - leaving fans to conclude that "The Nighthawks are now the best they've ever been!"

The Nighthawks Featuring Billy Price - Tell Me Who You're Workin' For - Genetti Ballroom
Uploaded To YouTube Via harvestentertainment

The Nighthawks with special guest, Billy Price, perform 'Tell Me Who You're Workin' For' at The Genetti Ballroom in Downtown Williamsport. An Enduring Star Production. A film by Lonnie Wilcox.

http://www.thenighthawks.com/