World Class Rock with Cerphe
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The Sheepdogs
The Sheepdogs are a Juno Award-winning Canadian rock band known for their 1970s-inspired southern rock and blues rock style, dual-guitar wizardry, and strong vocal harmonies. They rose to prominence in 2011 as the first unsigned band to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
Formed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in 2004, the band initially went by the name “The Breaks”. They built their sound around classic rock influences like the Allman Brothers Band, Led Zeppelin, and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Their hit singles “I Don’t Know” and “Feeling Good,” as well as the albums Learn & Burn and The Sheepdogs, have achieved platinum status in Canada.
Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers
Chambers DesLauriers embodies love, resilience, and the stirring power of blues, soul, and rock ‘n roll. Fronted by the magnetic duo Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers, this band unites two celebrated artists whose music and story inspire audiences worldwide.
Their love story began in 2018 with a moment straight out of a movie. During a busy music conference in Memphis, TN, in a jam-packed lobby at the Orpheum Theatre, “we immediately locked eyes,” Annika muses simply about their first magical meeting. But fate had other plans—they wouldn’t cross paths again for another year, and their connection was undeniable when they did. A whirlwind romance, quick engagement, and marriage followed, and now, six years later, their love continues to shine—on stage and off.
Annika Chambers cut her teeth singing in church as a child and led her first song at age 15. Influenced by Mahalia Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Yolanda Adams, and Mavis Staples, she hit the stage in her hometown of Houston for the first time as a professional singer in 2008.
Her strength and determination stem from her 7 ½ years in the U.S. Army, where she served two tours of duty. During this time, she first discovered the blues, and from there, her musical path was set. Annika has cemented her place as a force to be reckoned with in the blues world, earning three Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year (2019, 2022, 2024), with another nomination in 2025.
Hailing from Cornwall, Ontario, Paul DesLauriers picked up his first instrument at age five and never looked back. Studying the greats—B.B. King, Robert Johnson, Bukka White, and Peter Green—he immersed himself in their playing while developing his own distinct style. By 15, he was gigging professionally and, soon after, touring the world under his name. A six-time Maple Blues Award winner, DesLauriers has earned his place as one of Canada’s premier blues-rock guitarists.
A survivor of a traumatic brain injury in 2018, Paul’s experience only reinforced one truth: music was his anchor. “No matter what life throws at you, when you pick up a guitar, it reminds you who you are. I’m blessed that it wasn’t taken away from me. I just had to keep moving forward through the fog.”
D.K. Harrell
D.K. Harrell is a prominent young American blues singer, guitarist, and songwriter known for his soulful vocals, stinging guitar style, and dynamic stage presence. Born in Ruston, Louisiana, in 1998, Harrell was heavily influenced by B.B. King from an early age, learning King’s music, tone, and stage craft by studying concert footage. This dedication led to an invitation to play one of King’s iconic “Lucille” guitars at the B.B. King Symposium in 2019, his first paying gig.
Harrell quickly made a name for himself in the blues world, winning the 2022 B.B. King “King of the Blues” Award and finishing third in the International Blues Challenge. His 2023 debut album, The Right Man on the Little Village Foundation label, received critical acclaim for its 11 original songs and blend of blues, soul, funk, and gospel elements. The album earned him the 2024 Blues Music Award in the “Best Emerging Artist Album” category.
Now signed to the legendary Alligator Records, Harrell released his second album, Talkin’ Heavy, in June 2025. The album, produced by Christoffer “Kid” Andersen, features twelve original tracks that cement his place among the new generation of blues stars, showcasing his ability to bridge traditional blues with a modern, fresh perspective. At just 27 years old, Harrell is hailed as a leading light of the younger generation of blues artists, bringing a vital energy and authenticity to the genre. Known for his magnetic stage presence, dapper tuxedo attire, and engaging interaction with the audience, Harrell is dedicated to preserving the blues while ensuring it resonates with contemporary audiences. He has toured extensively across the U.S., Canada, and Europe, performing at major festivals and captivating audiences with his high-energy, unpredictable live shows. As Blues Blast called him, he is “The fastest-rising talent in the blues today.”
Ronnie Baker Brooks
Ronnie Baker Brooks is a prominent American Chicago blues and soul blues guitarist, singer, and songwriter who has carved out a unique identity while honoring his “blues royalty” lineage as the eldest musical son of the late legendary Lonnie Brooks. Born in Chicago in 1967, he has emerged as one of the most electrifying and innovative bluesmen, blending traditional Chicago blues with elements of soul, electric blues, rock, and funk.
Brooks began his musical journey at an early age, first performing on stage with his father at just nine years old. He initially joined his father’s band as a roadie, working his way up through hard work and determination before becoming the full-time second guitarist. He learned not only from his father but also from blues greats such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, and Koko Taylor. Koko Taylor notably told him, “You learn from your daddy everything you can. And one day, it’ll be up to you to carry the blues forward,” a mandate he took to heart.
Embarking on a solo career in 1998 with his debut album Golddigger, Brooks established his own sound and label, Watchdog Records, which also released Take Me Witcha (2001) and the critically acclaimed The Torch (2006). His music is often described as witty, soulful, and ferociously energetic, with “astonishing guitar work” and a powerful stage presence. He views his role as a bridge between the traditional blues of his mentors and the younger generation, incorporating modern musical influences like hip-hop to ensure the genre’s continued evolution.
Ronnie’s 2017 album, Times Have Changed, produced by Steve Jordan, featured collaborations with an array of talent, including Bobby “Blue” Bland in one of his final recorded works.
Blues in My DNA, released in October 2024 on Alligator Records, marks his debut on the prestigious label that was home to his father. The album has been a major success, earning Brooks three 2025 Blues Music Awards: “Song of the Year” for the title track, “Contemporary Blues Album of the Year,” and “Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year”. This recognition solidifies his place in the upper echelons of the blues world, an honor he now embraces with pride rather than obligation.
