Redwood Coast Music Festival

Andy T with Alabama Mike & Little Charlie Baty

Redwood Coast Music Festival 2018 Performing Artist

The Andy T Band featuring Alabama Mike is a potent new blend of blues talent. The group pairs veteran Nashville guitarist Andy Talamantez with the dynamic San Francisco Bay area singer Michael A. Benjamin, aka Alabama Mike.

Benjamin makes his recording debut with the Andy T Band on the group’s fourth album, Double Strike. Double Strike features Benjamin singing half of the songs and Nick Nixon singing the other half. Double Strike presents the Andy T Band at its best, before and after Nixon left the group in 2016 due to health issues.

The Andy T Band, fronted by guitarist Andy T, began in 2011 as the Andy T - Nick Nixon Band, with vocalist Nick Nixon. As Blues Underground Network said, “Simply put, Andy T and James Nick’ Nixon have quickly risen to the top of many people’s lists of Great Collaborations.” Their 2016 release on Blind Pig Records, Numbers Man, was nominated for a 2016 Blues Music Award as “Best Traditional Blues Album”, and the band was nominated for “Band of the Year” by the Blues Foundation.

Upon Nick Nixon’s 2016 retirement, Andy T and the band enlisted “Alabama Mike” Benjamin as lead singer. Mike is a dynamic, energetic vocalist that strongly connects with his audience.

Little Charlie Baty has joined the band for Redwood Coast !

Guitarist and bandleader Charles Baty of Little Charlie & the Nightcats is one of most inspirational figures in West Coast. Baty quickly reinvented himself as a take-no-prisoners, one-of-a-kind guitarist. There is no mistaking Charlie's creative blues guitar playing as he is truly tops in this field.

The group has been extremely well received, highlights including the 2016 King Biscuit Festival and the Jan 2017 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruis

Andy T - Nick Nixon Band: •

2016 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE for BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM

2016 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE for

BAND OF THE YEAR

2015 BLUES MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEE for

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM

2015 BLUES BLAST AWARDS NOMINEE for

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM

2013 BLUES BLAST AWARDS NOMINEE for

BEST TRADITIONAL BLUES ALBUM