The "Ultimate Blues Band From the Heartland" was once used by a festival promoter to describe Moreland & Arbuckle's music. Hailing from the sparsely populated plains of Kansas, Moreland & Arbuckle have seen more success in the past 2 years than most musicians dream about. The pair began performing together in early 2001 and quickly became an authentic, but innovate act. Since being a Finalist at the 2005 International Blues Competition (IBC), hosted by the Blues Foundation, they have seen their fan base grow exponentially. What is more, later that year the band's debut release, Caney Valley Blues hit #20 on the Living Blues radio charts.
These achievements have demanded the band to take their brand of blues all over the United States and parts of Europe. "Doing well at the IBC was a springboard for us to push to the next level," Moreland says, "Up to that point, we had been largely confined as a Midwest regional act." During the past two years they have performed at several major blues festivals and clubs throughout the world including the Bay Front Blues Festival, Blues Alive! (Holland), Arkansas Blues and Heritage Blues Festival, Bierbeek Blues Festival (Belgium), and Portland's Waterfront Blues Festival among others. The band has performed over 700 gigs in the past five years, with no signs of slowing down.
Moreland & Arbuckle have strong appeal on many different levels. They are one of few acts on the scene today to have mastered both acoustic and electric blues. The band splits its gig schedule between a stripped down acoustic duo, and an electrified trio (incorporating drummer Brad Horner). The acoustic duo serves up fine country blues with a raw edge, while the electric trio doles out bone rumbling, hip shaking, tone-laden energy. The band's blistering live shows have become nothing short of legendary. All the while, their mastery of several styles of blues like early Chicago, North Mississippi Hill Country, and Delta earn them standout status among their peers. BluesWax ezine said that Moreland & Arbuckle are "truer to the original in their arrangements than the more rocked-up treatments others have concocted. Simply, it's more enjoyable."
The band's 2006 follow-up Floyd's Market was hailed as an instant success across the globe for its strong musicianship, impeccable songwriting, and honor of tradition. Blues Bytes proclaimed Moreland & Arbuckle are, "young visionaries with their axes firmly planted in a rich juke joint and back porch tradition." Blues Revue went on to call the band, "Grade A Mississippi blues." Since charting at #21 on the Living Blues radio chart in the month of June, Floyd's Market continues to obtain airplay from all corners of the world and receive critical acclaim.
Moreland & Arbuckle are clearly a must see for any music enthusiast. Not only are they keeping a strong blues tradition alive, but they are pushing it into new boundaries for generations to come.
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