Scott Ellison

Born February 13, 1954, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Scott Ellison established himself early as a guitarist, singer, and songwriter steeped in blues-rock. During the 1970s the city unexpectedly emerged as a hub for blues-rooted rock outfits, a fact underscored when the touring bands behind both Eric Clapton and Freddie King drew their personnel from the area. Ellison joined that scene by accompanying country vocalist Jesseca James, daughter of Conway Twitty, in 1977 and, four years later, legendary blues guitarist Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown. By the middle of the decade he had moved to Los Angeles, where he sustained his career through engagements with the Box Tops, the Shirelles, the Coasters, and Peaches & Herb. In the 1990s he assembled his own blues ensemble and secured support slots for Joe Cocker, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and Buddy Guy while simultaneously launching a solo recording career with the albums Chains of Love and Live at Joey’s. After returning to Tulsa he delivered his third album, Steamin’, then followed it with One Step From the Blues, which enlisted several local players. Beyond his own releases and sideman work, Ellison contributed original material to the television programs Sister Sister, Eye on L.A., and the daytime serial Santa Barbara as well as to the Ben Affleck film Reindeer Games. His first Burnside Records project, the 2001 album Cold Hard Cash, was produced by Dennis Walker, longtime collaborator of Robert Cray.