Kent Duchaine




At the young age of six, Kent DuChaine learned to play the ukulele from his father.
At 13, after getting his first electric guitar, he and a few of his buddies formed a garage band in his hometown of Wayzata, Minnesota. They performed at school functions and private parties, mostly playing popular music of the time.
After reading the liner notes of an Eric Clapton album, DuChaine checked out a Robert Johnson album from the local library. So taken back by Johnson's music he literally wore the album out listening to it. He never looked back. The music of Johnson, Muddy Waters, Lightening Hopkins, T-Bone Walker, Bukka White and Elmore James.

DuChaine learned to play slide guitar in 1969. One year later he opened for slide guitar genius Bukka White. From 1972-1975 DuChaine performed in a band with Kim Wilson, of the present day Fabulous Thunderbirds. The Band backed up blues greats Fenton Robinson, Boogie Woogie Red, Luther Tucker, Hubert Sumlin, and Eddie Burns. As the reputation of the band spread, legendary songwriter and performer Willie Dixon embraced them. Dixon arranged a recording contract and a concert sharing the bill with Albert Collins, John Lee Hooker, the Howling Wolf and Margie Evans.

In 1979 DuChaine found his beloved "Leadbessie", she's a beat-up 1934 National Steel Guitar kitted out with extra heavy strings to cope with his ferociously powerful style. Decinding to go solo in 1982, he took "Leadbessie" on the road, finally setting in the southeastern United States to be closer to the roots of the music he loved.

DuChaine met and established a partnership with legendary blues man Johnny Shines in 1989.
They recorded Back to the Country with harmonica great Snooky Pryor. They were honored with the coveted WC Handy Award for Best Country Blues Album.
In 1991, the Smithsonian Institute honored the King of the Delta Blues, Robert Johnson. DuChaine and Shines were among the privileged few that were invited to perform at this prestigious 25th annual Festival of American Folklife. The end result was the Grammy nominated album, Roots of Rhythm and Blues: A Tribute to the Robert Johnson Era recorded by Sony/Columbia.
DuChaine and Shines performed over 200 shows together travelling all over North America, all the while DuChaine continued his solo career. Their relationship was cut short by Shines' death in April 1992.

DuChaine, determined more than ever to spread the blues, began to perfom in Europe and Scandinavia.
He now has six albums under his belt, 44 plus tours overseas, and still manages to perform all over North America.
He was honored by the London Times naming him "one of the five best concerts in the UK".
When not thrilling music lovers with authentic Delta Blues, Urban Blues and his original music, he's relaxing at home in beautiful South Georgia with his wife, their son Miles, the cats, and the German Shepherd.

Official Website: www.kentduchaine.com

Line-up:
Kent DUCHAINE - steel guitar, lead vocal


What the Press says...

"...One of the best top five concerts nationwide (across ALL music genres)"
Sunday Times


"...a show not to miss..into the sold out venue…This is what the blues is all about..his uplifting persona & crowd pleasing demeanor (and of course his incredible musical proficiency) is the reason this man is loved all over the world."
405 Music Review


"...Two hours of genuine entertainment…closed proceedings amid something resembling a mass hoe down..I recommend you take advantage when he brings the “DELTA” to your town."
Blues in Britain Magazine


"...Not only is Kent know as a well known master of the blues…..his guitar playing is exceptional and his deep intriguing voice a great combination that really set the old style delta blues alight…..DuChaine really has lived the blues life which is clearly evident in his music."
The Orcadian, Orkney Blues Festival


"...The voice is good, the aura the 53 year old emits is wonderful and his rapport with an appreciative audience is fantastic. But what allows DuChaine to be rated as one of the worlds best is the amazing sounds he gets from his 1934 National ‘steel guitar."
The Customs House Arts Center, South Shelds, 2005


"...DuChaine’s commitment, enthusiasm and love of the blues shines through his every move and transmits itself to his audience…As a solo performer maybe only Keb’ Mo’ touches him in the charisma stakes….Honest entertainment this good should not be missed."

"The unpredicted star of the evening, and possibly, of the whole event, was the Minnesota born vocalist/guitarist Kent DuChaine. Mere words cannot describe the charisma and genius this man exudes"
Blueprint Magazine



Discografia