Biography

2010: Voted Hard Rock Cafés “Favorite Band”, Kings of Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee, 2010 International Blues Challenge (IBC).
2010: Semi Finalist, International Blues Challenge (IBC), Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
2009: *Judged Alabama’s Best Unsigned Blues Band of 2009, Magic City Blues Society, Battle of the Blues Bands.
2008: Semi Finalist and FINALIST, International Blues Challenge (IBC), Acoustic Duo, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
2007: Judged Alabama’s best Unsigned Acoustic Blues Duo of 2007, Magic City Blues Society, Battle of The Blues Bands.
2004: Semi Finalist, International Blues Challenge, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
2003: Judged Alabama’s best Unsigned Acoustic Blues Duo of 2003, Magic City Blues Society, Battle of The Blues Bands
2003: Semi Finalist, International Blues Challenge, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
2002: Judged Alabama’s Best Unsigned Blues Band of 2002, Magic City Blues Society, Battle Of The Blues Bands,

What’s The Music Like In General?
We like to call it a premium blend of blues, rock, funk and gospel
In the context of a show, we perform in three formats. Acoustic duo or trio, unplugged four piece and five piece electric band.
When performing acoustically, the tunes are closer to a Delta Blues style with original twists added.
When performing “electrified” we produce a blend of blues, funk and rock; This you might expect from five crusty ol’ dudes with our eclectic musical backgrounds. We consider ourselves influenced by many artists. To name a few; Little Feat, Stevie Ray, reverend Gary Davis, Elmore Jones, Lowell Fulson and of course Ray Charles.
Our tunes are mostly original with some adaptations and covers of our liking thrown in.

What’s In A Name?
The genesis of the band was Bruce Andrews and George Dudley as an acoustic duo act.
“2BLU” alone describes the duo act. “2BLU and The Lucky Stiffs” indicates the addition of drums, bass and percussion.
Lucky Stiffs?! Why the name?
We are “lucky” to share a mix of our music, faith and life experience with anyone who will listen. We’re just a pack of old dudes who can’t quit playing; so just call us “stiffs”.
The Lucky Stiffs.

Our Lyrical Approach
The band performs originals and covers. Our original lyrics frequently reflect our Christian faith, usually in a pretty non-traditional format. We mix secular and Faith themes in our tunes-just like your life mixes the everyday grind with the divine; that’s “the blues” isn’t it?.

The Players

Bruce Andrews – Harmonica and Lead Vocals
Bruce has been playing the harmonica and singing with bands for over thirty years. He has performed in the International Blues Challenge as a semifinalist 4 times, once as a finalist. Bruce is a published visual artist as well, often painting Blues and Jazz greats as subject matter. Bruce also plays and writes for the award winning band, The Alabama Blues Machine. He plays mostly Hohner Special 20 harmonicas through a Fender Deluxe amp.

George Dudley – Guitar and Vocals
George has been playing guitar for more than two decades. In that time, it is fair to say that his approach to the guitar is unique. His blues playing for example is true to the genre, but totally fresh. George has played with numerous club bands throughout the New England area. His session work can be found on several fine local and regional productions.
George plays a custom made Tele with EMG’s in a Strat configuration through a Mesa Boogie Triaxis preamp wired to a pair of vintage Celestian Rola 12” Speakers in a stereo configuration. George also plays several styles of lap steel guitars including Weisenborn and custom made Sipsey River Steel guitars by Jack Dudley, Don’t Fret Instruments.

Jack Dudley – Bass and Vocals
Jack is George’s brother and he has also been playing bass for more than two decades. Jack’s style and tone is extremely unique, and must be heard to be appreciated. While percussive by nature, it is smooth at the same time. Jack plays a combination of four, five and six string custom built fretless bass guitars as well as the occasional upright electric bass departure. Jack personally designs and builds all of his bass guitars.

Dave Gowens – Percussion
Dave has over four decades of experience and is an accomplished hand percussionist that enjoys playing Blues, Latin, Funk and anything soulful. Dave is a Southern, groovin' white guy with a dash of Africano influence. (He has papers to prove it) Inspired by his brother, enlightened by many great hand percussionist. Knows how to add texture to any type of music and knows when to sit one out.
Dave plays Meinl, LP and Remo hand drums, custom hand crafted cajons and the Sipsey Slapper by Don’t Fret Instruments, and assorted animal parts through Berringer, Shure and Sennheiser electronics.

James Dudley – Drums
James is the youngest of the Dudley’s and the newest member of the band. Age certainly does not limit James’ ability. James has a natural feel and the intuition to play just enough without overplaying and has a unique ability to actually play WITH a percussionist by leaving a little room. Look for James’ innovative Vintage Suitcase drum kit-a real experiment in “minimalism”.

2BLU and The Lucky Stiffs have shared the stage with:
American Idol Finalist,
Bo Bice
2009 IBC Winner, J.P. Soars
Handy Award Winner, John Hammond
North Mississippi All Stars
Handy Award Winner, Richard Johnston
Glen Kaiser
Pat Ramsay and the Blues Disciples
Bob Carlisle
Brian Howe (formerly of Bad Company)
The Decoys
Stacey Mitchhart And The Blues You Can Use
Kevin Derryberry
Mikey Jr. and the Stone Cold Blues Band
Sean Costello
Bob Margolin
Willie King
Nappy Brown
Microwave Dave and the Nukes
Hubert Sumelin
Delta Highway
Little G Weevil
Sam Lay
Elnora Spencer
Ernie Cleveland


2BLU and The Lucky Stiffs have performed at the following venues:
Bama Jam, Enterprise, Alabama 2010
Alabaster City Fest, Alabaster, Alabama 2010
Liberty Day, Columbiama, Alabama 2010
Horse Pens 40, Steele, Alabama
Battle of The Blues Bands, (2009 Winner, Electric Band) Birmingham, Alabama
The Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, Tennessee
SPA CITY BLUES FEST, Hot Springs, Arkansas
The Big Chill, Hot Springs Arkansas
B.B.’s Jazz and Blues, St. Louis, Missouri
Rogue Tavern, Birmingham, Alabama
Helena Amphitheatre, Helena, Alabama
Moe’s Original BBQ and Blues Review, Lakeview, Birmingham, Alabama
Music on Main Street, Columbiana, Alabama
Shelby County Arts Council, Columbiana, Alabama
Miracle Music Concert, Benefit for Children’s Miracle Network, Alabaster, Alabama
Buck Creek Park, Fall Walk, Alabaster, Alabama
Genesis 150, Benefit for Babies First, Leeds, Alabama
Blue Moon Café, Hot Springs, Arkansas
Pat O’Brien’s, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Junk Yard Juke, Magic City Blues Society, Birmingham, Alabama
Sloss Birthday Blues Blast, Sloss Furnace, Birmingham, Alabama
W.C. Handy Blues Hall, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Magic City Blues Society, Blues Ball, Zydeco, Birmingham, Alabama
Birmingham-Jefferson Theatre with Sarah Jahn, Birmingham, Alabama
WORKPLAY Theatre with The Decoys, Birmingham, Alabama
Battle of The Blues Bands, (2002 Winner, Electric Band) Birmingham, Alabama
Cityfest, Alabaster, Alabama
International Blues Challenge Semi Finalist 2003, Memphis, Tennessee
Rum Boogie Café, Beale Street, Memphis, Tennessee
Battle of the Blues Bands 2003 winner, Acoustic Duo, Birmingham, Alabama
Sloss Birthday Blues Blast 2004, Sloss Furnace, Birmingham Alabama
Liquid 360, Birmingham, Alabama
IBC Blues Challenge, Acoustic Duo Semi Finalist 2004, Memphis, Tennessee

Contact Information
Booking
Bruce Andrews
205.835.8489
2blu.bruce@gmail.com
Marketing/Publicity
Dave Gowens
205.222.1823
dave@davegowens.com

2BLU and The Lucky Stiffs
1024 Henry Drive
Alabaster, Alabama 35007

Additional Web Content…

www.2blumusic.com

www.dontfretinstruments.com

www.davegowens.com