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6 Time Cascade Blues Association Muddy Award Nominee
In 1997 at the age of 23, he joined the regionally popular Fat Daddy Band based out of his hometown of Roanoke, VA. During his tenure with them, the Fat Daddy Band won the Charlotte Blues Society's 2001 Talent Competition and was a finalist at the Blues Foundation's 2002 International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, thus being named one of the top 6 unsigned blues bands in the world. After spending 7 busy years touring the South with the band and recording 3 CD’s, Kevin left Fat Daddy and joined forces with fellow Virginia bluesman Rodger Crowder, forming Little Rodger and the Cheap Thrills. Over the next 2 years Kevin continued touring, performing at some of the nation’s best blues clubs including: The Slippery Noodle -Indianapolis, IN; Bourbon Street Blues and Boogie Bar - Nashville, TN; The Double Door Inn - Charlotte, NC; J.M. Randall's - Williamsburg, VA; Midway Tavern - Mishawaka, IN; and Chip's Winder, GA; just to name a few. In early 2005, Kevin decided it was time to go out on his own and formed his own group, Kevin Selfe and The Tornadoes. Since then, the band has quickly become known as one of the tightest and most energetic blues outfits around. In Sept. 2005, he and the Tornadoes had the honor of backing up Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater at the Taste of The Blue Ridge Blues Festival in Roanoke, VA. Kevin backed up former Muddy Waters sideman and harmonica legend, the late Carey Bell, on his last show in January 2007. Always searching for the next adventure, Kevin relocated to Portland, OR in February 2007, where he has already made quite an impression on the blues community there. To attest to this, the band has been nominated by the Cascade Blues Association for 6 Muddy Awards for Best New Act (2007), Best Contemporary Blues Act (2008), Best Electric Guitar (2007,2008), Best Bass (2008), and Best Drums (2008). The band consists of Kevin on guitar, harmonica, and vocals, Allen Markel on bass, and Don Shultz on Drums. Kevin’s diverse style can best be described as a funky mix of traditional ("Lot’s of fire and great tone. Nice Hubert Sumlin licks" - Bob Margolin) and contemporary blues ("Punishing guitar work a la Jimi meets Stevie Ray" - Ralph Berrier Jr.., The Roanoke Times). Kevin Selfe & The Tornadoes released their CD entitled “Selfe-Contained” in January 2006. The recording consists of ten dynamic tunes and captures the band’s uncontainable energy and creativity. Although Kevin is best known for his guitar work, he has also become an accomplished harmonica player and vocalist. Blues Matters (UK) says of Selfe on the CD, “Playing fine harmonica as well, it is his superb deep voice that resonates throughout”. So, check out the rest of
the website and always remember to support live music!
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Kevin
Selfe is a man who has dedicated his life to the blues. After graduating
from North Carolina State University with a degree in Meteorology in 1995,
Selfe felt like there was something missing…something else calling
him. He decided to abandon a potential career as a weatherman, and pursue
the music that consumed his soul…the blues.