Biography
Guitarist, singer and songwriter Lonnie Shields earned widespread critical acclaim for his 1992 debut Portrait on Rooster Blues, which reviewers ranked among the strongest first releases of that year. Acclaim for his direct yet layered approach to soulful, rhythmic blues has continued from audiences worldwide ever since.
Raised in a household centered on church activities, Shields carries audible gospel influences in his singing. He started out performing soul and funk before Sam Carr introduced him to Delta blues. Their collaboration in the Unforgettable Blues Band followed, with additional guidance coming from local players Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson. B.B. King later became his chief inspiration.
At age fifteen he formed the Checkmates, whose sound reflected Earth, Wind and Fire and the Isley Brothers. After the group disbanded, Shields set the guitar aside until he encountered drummer Sam Carr in Lula, Mississippi. Carr pressed him to master authentic blues, and Shields soon joined Carr, Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson on the road.
Following his 1986 performance at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, Rooster Blues invited him to record a single. The session led to his first album for the label, issued in 1993. The release brought broader attention and festival bookings across the Northeast. He next recorded Tired of Waiting in 1996 and Blues Is On Fire in 1997 for London-based JSP Records. Rooster Blues released his second album, Midnight Delight, in 2000. Shields continues to appear throughout the United States, Europe and Canada.
Raised in a household centered on church activities, Shields carries audible gospel influences in his singing. He started out performing soul and funk before Sam Carr introduced him to Delta blues. Their collaboration in the Unforgettable Blues Band followed, with additional guidance coming from local players Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson. B.B. King later became his chief inspiration.
At age fifteen he formed the Checkmates, whose sound reflected Earth, Wind and Fire and the Isley Brothers. After the group disbanded, Shields set the guitar aside until he encountered drummer Sam Carr in Lula, Mississippi. Carr pressed him to master authentic blues, and Shields soon joined Carr, Frank Frost and Big Jack Johnson on the road.
Following his 1986 performance at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas, Rooster Blues invited him to record a single. The session led to his first album for the label, issued in 1993. The release brought broader attention and festival bookings across the Northeast. He next recorded Tired of Waiting in 1996 and Blues Is On Fire in 1997 for London-based JSP Records. Rooster Blues released his second album, Midnight Delight, in 2000. Shields continues to appear throughout the United States, Europe and Canada.
Albums
Singles