Michael "Hawkeye" Herman - BLUES ALIVE! - Topaz OWR - 0110

Coming from Davenport, Iowa, "Hawkeye" is quite at home in the Delta or in Chicago and so is his music. On this release, the man proves he is at once a great blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, storyteller and entertainer so I choose to call him a great blues musician, not "just" a bluesman! The lucky crowd at this 1995 performance in Colorado certainly seem to be enjoying themselves and "Hawkeye" thrives on it and you will share in the pleasure too upon hearing the show.

In 1998, "Hawkeye" was honored with The Blues Foundation's "Keeping the Blues Alive" Award in Memphis, TN, which is a part of the Handy Awards ceremonies weekend. Quite a well deserved accomplishment. Having been a professional blues musician for over thirty years, his CD, "Blues Alive!", was considered by many to be one of the best blues CDs of 1997 and I agree.

After nearly two decades of making people aware of the Blues through his "Blues in the Schools" program and starting up those programs for Blues societies as well as his educational workshops at blues and folk festivals, Michael "Hawkeye" Herman has proven to be one of the leading exponents of the Blues. And you would have to look far and wide to find a nicer guy to do the job too. Do yourself a favor and get this CD right now and soak up all of the wisdom he shares and laugh along at his jokes too because "Hawkeye" will surely keep you entertained for quite a while.

A contributor to Delta Boogie, "Hawkeye" does the Tale Feathers column and you definately need to check it out. He is guaranteed to enlighten you with his wit and wisdom. This guy is Great!