In the tradition and spirit of the epic blues “head hunting” battles staged by legions of blues greats throughout history, two Alberta blues titans are set to duke it out while on tour with the Alberta Battle of the Blues.

John Rutherford (Calgary) and Marshall Lawrence (Edmonton) defend their provincial turf in a head on, no punches pulled, all out blues bout.

With the gloves off and guitars in hand a coin toss determines who plays first. Brandishing guitar bravado, vocal prowess and their fiercest blues knock out punch each artist performs a solo set. Culminating in an encore together in the ring, Rutherford and Lawrence settle the score complete with audience jeers and cheers.

The Alberta Battle of the Blues ensues as dates unfold across the province beginning with some select venues in early 2012.

Calgary’s John “The Hoodoo Man” Rutherford and Marshall “Doctor of the Blues” Lawrence will pair off on the following dates and at the following venues:

Catch all the action ringside:

Tuesday January 24 - The Blues Can - Calgary AB

Wednesday January 25 - The Slice - Lethbridge AB

Thursday January 26 - Ye Olde Blues Bar - Medicine Hat AB

Friday February 3 - Blue Chair Cafe - Edmonton AB

Saturday February 4 - Early Stage Saloon - Stony Plain AB

Thursday March 8 - Mikey’s Juke Joint - Calgary AB

On the heels of an early summer barn burner at Calgary's west side blues joint, John and his band are back at Mikey's on Friday October 28. Once again joined by "The Ledge" featuring the brilliant clarinet and saxophone stylings of the honourable member Cedric Blary. As well, the commission on rhythm co-chaired by bassist; Tom Knowles, and drummer; Erik Allen.

Alberta's "First Premier of the Blues" opens a rockin' roots and blues session 'bout 9:00PM.

More than 20 years after their formation and 15 years since the last gig The Hoodoo Sons live to play another day. A member of the Hoodoo Sons from 1989 to 1995 John worked with Bill Dowey, Brad Carter and Tom Knowles touring western Canada, playing the busy Calgary club circuit and frequently holding down week-long stints at the city's legendary blues haunt, the King Edward Hotel. Opening tours for Buddy Guy, the Neville Bros. and Colin James, sharing festival bills with James Cotton, Robert Jr. Lockwood and John Lee Hooker...as well as playing and jamming with many of the great blues players that passed through the "Eddy" placed the Hoodoo Sons at the centre of a heady and influencial time in blues and Alberta music history. In the years since, each of the members has followed musical paths seperate but not divergent. Tom Knowles has become a first call roots and blues bassist having toured and recorded with Long John Baldry, Rita Chiareli and many others. Bil Dowey and Brad Carter became the core of the house band at the King Eddy throughout the 90's and until it's closing in 2004 backing up a who's who of the blues world.

Some recent chance circumstances, a jam session, a couple of "unofficial" dates and the band is back and sounding better than ever. The Hoodoo Sons will dust off a few memories then get back to playing the blues at the city's new official blues hub, The Blues Can in the historic Inglewood district. The band takes the stage Friday and Saturday nights, September 16 and 17.

John is thrilled to be part of the stellar line-up at the Edmonton Folk Music Festival running August 4, 5, 6 and 7. In addition to several performances and workshop sessions over the weekend, where John will share the stage with some great artists, he will also be featured in a CBC Radio One live broadcast from the site as part of the Saturday afternoon Key of A session presented by the all Alberta music CBC Radio program the Key of A. The session and live broadcast will feature an all Alberta line-up and will air live to air Saturday August 6 at 5:00PM. John's performance schedule includes:

Sat. Aug. 6, 12:30 - 1:55PM, Porch Songs, Stage 2 with Amos Garrett, Colin Linden and Matt Anderson

Sat. Aug. 6, 4:30 - 5:55PM, Key of A, Stage 7, with Bill Bourne, Kat Danser, Ky Babyn and Kayla Patrick

Sat. Aug. 6, 9:30 - 9:40PM, Main Stage, "tweener" between John Mayall Band and Brandi Carlile

Sun. Aug. 7, 11:00 - 11:50AM, Stage 7, Concert

A music video for the song My Ukulele Helps Me Beat the Blues has recently been released on the Avenue Magazine website. The songs lyrics are written by John's father Edward Rutherford with John composing the music. Shot at 4AM on a Sunday morning at the legendary Calgary all night eatery; The Blackfoot Truck Stop and Diner. The video project is released as part of The Music in Spaces Series produced by Avenue Magazine in Calgary. Thanks to Jared Sych, Brent Mykytyshyn and Jeff Way for shooting the great footage and for pulling it all together. Thanks to the Blackfoot Truck Stop and Diner.

CALGARY SHOWS COMING UP

The Legislative Assembly will address the house at Mikey's Juke Joint and Eatery on Friday June 17. John will be performing with his band "the Ledge" featuring Tom Knowles on bass, Jon May on drums and Cedric Blary on sax and clarinet. Join us for some swingin' blues grooves, and some truly great food and drink.

Show starts at 9:00PM, tickets are $10 at the door or call in advance 403 245 8833

Then Sunday June 19 John will play a set at the Ramsay Rocks Community Festival held at Ramsay School on Spiller Road SE in Ramsay, one of the coolest communities in the city. There will be several bands, activities and exhibits to take in.

Monday June 27 John will be the guest artist at the Cantos Music Foundation, Blue Mondays Series performing several songs with the Blue Mondays house band and will be hanging around to check in with the local blues community and to participate in the jam and workshops.

Blue Mondays takes place at the Cantos Music Foundation, 134, 11th Avenue SW. 6:00PM

A right of spring here in Alberta is finally upon us...on Saturday April 16th the annual East Coulee Spring Festival marks the end of a long and cold prairie winter. This small family friendly festival is located in the historic mining town of East Coulee just east of Drumheller in the heart of the Alberta badlands. This year 30 some acts will perform in a variety of venues through the course of the day and evening to support the ongoing operation of the East Coulee School Museum, celebrate the Drumheller Valley Mining Centennial and usher in spring. John will perform in the School Museum's Willow Room at 2:00PM.

However, John's Springfest/birthday weekend tour begins in the Crows Nest Pass and the southern Alberta town of Blairmore with a show Friday night April 15 at the Tin Roof. Start time 8:00PM.

Earlier this week John was the subject of a video production shot at the Calgary landmark eatery, the Blackfoot Truck Stop Restaurant. The video will feature a song performed solo in the venerable east side diner amidst the booths, juke box, coffee pots and quick wipe menus. The three camera shoot is directed by photographer Jared Sych and will be featured in an upcoming Avenue Magazine/online feature. The raw footage is currently being reviewed and will be edited in the weeks to come with a release date tba. We will keep you posted. Our thanks to Jared Sych, Red Point Media and all the fine folks at the Blackfoot Truck Stop Restaurant.

John will appear in Edmonton this weekend as part of the Folkways Alive presentation; Winter Roots & Blues Round Up II. The University of Alberta in partnership with Smithsonian Folkways Recordings and The Canadian Centre for Ethnomusicology will feature a variety of concerts, workshops, discussions and classes celebrating the legacy of Folkways Records. John will participate in several events including a double bill concert with the legendary Freebo, as well as a vintage guitar discussion, a workshop tribute to the Blues of Folkways and a dance party performance fronting the Front Porch Roots Revue band. The event is produced by Peter North and features an impressive line up from near and far including Bill Bourne, Joe Nolan, David Gogo, Rosalie Sorrels, Grandpa Banana, Karla Anderson, Maria Dunn, Kat Danser and more.

John starts his new year out right with a Saturday show at the Ironwood Stage and Grill in his hometown of Calgary. John will be performing with his band the Legislative Assembly featuring honourable members Jon May on drum, Curtis Cripps on bass and Cedric Blary on clarinets and saxophone.

Other than a songwriters circle appearance a few weeks ago, this will be John's first show in the "new" Ironwood venue located in the old Garry Theatre on 9th Avenue SE, having performed many times at the old location down the street. Look forward to seeing you in full glorious 3D.