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Dwight Edwards: From Blues Traveler to Indy Blues Legend
Posted on 9/25/2010 by Mark Bastin
Dwight came to know music at a young age as he grew up next to a tavern as a young boy and he could hear the music flowing out the walls of the establishment. He later discovered it was jazz guitarist great Wes Montgomery he was hearing as a child and he also witnessed men being thrown out of the tavern with his mother stating "they were love sick and being taken away." He began singing at school and in church when he was 8 years old and taught himself to play guitar at age 12. Born and raised in Indianapolis he began to travel at age 21 as a guitarist touring with a blues road show around the Midwest. The road show was founded by a music production company known as Boyd Hunt Enterprises. While touring he really began to understand the music business and it helped him grow as a guitarist until he ended his trek with the road show to establish his own band in Indy. Dwight's band performed around Indiana and he gained experience working with local bands and recording them at Sounds of Naptown Studio, where he was vice-president. In the spring of 1996 Dwight released his first album "Out Of The Blue" which was written, produced, and recorded by Dwight. A signature song which came from this album is called "So Many Tears" which shows his vocal range in a big way! Dwight Received wonderful reviews of his debut release as it circulated throughout the U.S. and abroad.
Upon his second release "Rivers Of Blues" Dwight's fan base around Indy had grown as well as worldwide circulation of his first release. "Born Again Fool" and "Chicago" are just a couple of songs which stand out on his second serving of original blues with a little blues harp and slide guitar adding flavor to the mix. Following up much sooner, Dwight brought out his third release "Heart Of The Blues" which again showcased his vocals , guitar play, and a horn section reminiscent of the blues greats who inspired him from the Delta to Chicago. The song "One More Time" leads the way on this album in establishing Dwight with his polished style and showmanship which everyone has come to know and it's complimented by his stylish clothing from head to toe! Since his last album release Dwight has come to know exceptional success while performing at events like Summerfest in Wisconsin, Indy Jazz Fest, and Indy Rib Fest where he shared the stage with Lonnie Brooks and Ronnie Baker Brooks. Perhaps Dwight's greatest performance came at a benefit show sponsored by the House Of Blues in which Dwight and his band performed with blues man Chick Willis and House Of Blues Radio Hour host Dan Akroyd. The event held at the Opus Theatre in NYC was a fantastic night of blues bringing this Indiana native and his band the attention and praise of many. You may watch a video of Dwight's performance at the Opus Theatre on his website. http://www.dwightedwardsbluesband.com/
Dwight now performs around Indianapolis and select dates around the Midwest as a full band complete with backup singers as well as a duo acoustic lineup with saxophone player Guy Holbert. I've seen Dwight on stage several times this year including a few moments which produced standing ovations from the feel and execution of his music! I was able to speak to Dwight recently and in talking I asked him of his writing and the origin of his music and he stated it was fed by the human condition, the highs and lows of romance, and the daily struggles we all face. Dwight is a soft spoken gentleman who exudes gratitude, peace, and a warm smile whenever he's out which to me indicates he's in a very good place in his life. Dwight feels experienced, seasoned, and primed for the next phase of his life and music. He sights early love for singing came from Marian Anderson and loves the vocals of Gladys Knight and Nina Simone. His own influences came from B.B. King, Lightning Hopkins, Jimmy Witherspoon, Bobby Womack, and John Lee Hooker but he wanted to be like Wes Montgomery. While Dwight appreciates all of his music and the learning which came from producing his own originals his song "So Many Tears" stands out for him as it reflects the level of heartache from lost love and I had the feeling while speaking to him it came from the most personal of experience. Dwight's cd's are available on www.cdbaby.com and you can follow him on facebook but don't count him out as Dwight is a man who feels he hasn't fulfilled his destiny yet.~Mark
American Blues News
Photos courtesy of Dwight Edwards & Shane Benson.
All rights reserved
Band Line-up:Dwight Edwards - vocals, guitar
Earl Hobson - guitar
Rick Whitley - bass
Steve Gaither - drums
Joe Ketterman - sax
Guy Hobert - sax
Anthony Arvet - sax
