Artist Lineup & Bios

Annika Chambers & Paul DesLauriers - https://annikaandpaul.com/

A Love Story Set To Music -

Chambers DesLauriers embodies love, resilience, and the soul-stirring power of blues, rock, and soul. Fronted by dynamic duo Annika Chambers and Paul DesLauriers, the band blends raw emotion, powerful storytelling, and electrifying musicianship to deliver an unforgettable experience on stage and in the studio.

Their love story began in 2018 with a moment straight out of a movie. At a packed music conference at the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis, the two locked eyes. Though life pulled them in different directions, fate reunited them a year later. What followed was a whirlwind romance, quick engagement, and marriage — and six years later, their bond continues to shine, both personally and musically.

Annika Chambers, a Houston native, began her vocal journey in church and served 7 ½ years in the U.S. Army, where she completed two tours of duty. It was during her military service that she discovered the blues — a genre that would soon guide her career. Her debut, Making My Mark (2014), earned her a Blues Foundation nomination for Best New Artist. Since then, she’s released several acclaimed albums and earned three Blues Music Awards for Soul Blues Female Artist of the Year (2019, 2022, 2024), with a fourth nomination in 2025. Annika’s voice carries the depth of lived experience and the joy of musical liberation. “Every note I sing carries the weight of my journey,” she says.

Paul DesLauriers, hailing from Cornwall, Ontario, began playing music at five and gigging professionally by 15. A student of blues masters like B.B. King and Robert Johnson, Paul has developed a distinct voice as a guitarist and performer. His solo and band work has earned him six Maple Blues Awards, as well as runner-up at the International Blues Challenge in 2016. In 2018, Paul survived a traumatic brain injury, a life-altering event that only deepened his connection to music. “No matter what life throws at you, when you pick up a guitar, it reminds you who you are,” he shares.

Nikki Hill featuring Laura Chavez - https://www.nikkihillrocks.com/

“If Tina Turner and Little Richard had a daughter and raised her with the help of uncles James Brown and Chuck Berry, she’d be like Nikki Hill.” -Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Nikki Hill is sweet seduction, sweeter threat, and smoldering energy. An original force in American music, she is tender and tough, flamboyant, witty and dangerous. To put it plainly, Hill brings daggers back to the stage and studio. Overlapping soulful, sensual and bold vocal tones with powerful chrome-plated riffs and swagger, her voice finds a home in it – a soul singing, bar rocking, roots revivalist, that writes with frank self-reflection at a dancing tempo.

Hailing from Durham, North Carolina, Nikki Hill enjoyed R&B, soul, pop and hip hop at home. In addition, she sang gospel in the church choir from childhood through her early teenage years. Gradually, she developed her ears for garage rock, rock n’ roll, blues and roots, while also picking up influence from living along the legendary Mississippi River – in St. Louis, Missouri, New Orleans, Louisiana, and currently Memphis, Tennessee. In Nikki’s mind, a fertile mix of all the different types of music she had heard arose, and gradually these merged into something quite special, as she found her own voice, which the world was gradually introduced to on her many constant tours, where she took more and more audiences by storm with her distinctive vocals and
energetic stage performance.

Lexie Blue - https://www.lexieblue.com/

Two time Michigan Music Award winner Lexie Blue is a captivating blues singer with a deep soulful voice that resonates with raw emotion. She was named best blues artist in 2019 and 2022 by Detroit Channel 4's Vote for the Best and won the 2023 Blues competition in Lansing MI for Capital Area Blues Society and was the winner of the 2024 Grand Rapids Blues Competition for West Michigan Blues Society. Her rich, soulful tone captivates audiences and leaves them yearning for more. Whether belting out a heart-wrenching ballad or delivering an upbeat and energetic performance, Lexie has an undeniable stage presence that commands attention. With each performance, she effortlessly connects with her audience, making them feel every note and leaving an indelible mark on their souls. Lexie Blue continues to push the boundaries of blues music, infusing it with her own unique style and bringing a fresh perspective to the genre. Her passion for music and her talent make her a force to be reckoned with in the blues world, and her deep soulful voice is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who has the pleasure of hearing her sing. She has opened up for Tab Benoit, Derek St. Holmes (original Ted Nugent singer), Mark Farner from Grand Funk Railroad, Anthony Gomes, Coco Montoya and NightRanger. Writing and singing the blues is what she does best.

Noah Wotherspoon w/ Just Strange Brother Horns - https://www.noahwotherspoon.com/

Noah Wotherspoon is an absolutely phenomenal and captivating musician, who found his calling at a young age, and made a name for himself as one of the leading musicians, and blues guitarists, to rein from Dayton, Ohio.

Noah first began playing guitar at the age of 11, and by 15 he was fronting his own band, Noah and the Stratocats. Only a year after their incarnation, the band quickly picked up speed, and they found themselves performing in front of thousands at the prestigious, Chicago Blues Fest, where they would continue to appear for the next 8 years. It was in Chicago that Noah was discovered by Jimmy D. Lane (son of blues legend Jimmy Rogers), leading to the recording and release of his debut album on APO Records “Buzz Me”, featuring the legendary Hubert Sumlin.

Since then, Noah has lived multiple musical lives, exploring various styles and earning a reputation also as a prolific and compelling songwriter. Over the years, he’s opened up for icons such as Chris Issak, Leon Russel, Box Scaggs, and Savoy Brown and has performed, and/or recorded with, a wide range of his heroes, including Bobby Blue Bland, Hiram Bullock, and Will Lee, to name a few.

In 2015, Noah received the Albert King award for best guitarist at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN, and the Noah Wotherspoon Band (with Brian Aylor and Rob Thaxton) placed 2nd overall. Shortly after, the band (with varied members) began performing at venues and festivals around the world, touring Eastern Europe multiple times, performing in Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Germany, and Austria, as well as headlining both the Reykjavik Blues Festival in Iceland and the Salva Jazz & Blues Festival in Salvatierra, Mexico.

Noah continues writing, performing, and recording in an array of projects such as: Noah Wotherspoon Band, Noah + the Rescue Radio, and with fellow musician, and girlfriend Jessi Bair. The NWB have released 2 albums, ‘Mystic Mud’ and ‘Mobile Juke House Theater' and have a new album and world tour in the works. The current NWB line-up features Da’Rosa Richardson on keyboards, Tom Rastikis on bass, Brian Aylor on drums and the Just Strange Brothers Horns from Cincinnati on select shows.

Gina & Johnny Band - https://www.johnnyfink.com/ginaandjohnny

Formed in 2022, The Gina and Johnny Band is a very powerful combination of Cincinnati’s best blues musicians. Fronted by Gina McCann, with stage presence and vocal prowess second to none. Gina's singing started in church as a child, and she has fronted many of Cincinnati's best blues bands.

Johnny Fink provides both soulful guitar work and powerful vocals. Johnny (the most winning artist in the history of the Cincy Blues challenge) led his band, Johnny Fink & the Intrusion, to the finals of the International Blues Challenge in 2017 and has been in the Top 25 of Living Blues radio charts.

The rhythm section is composed of veteran drummer Roger Bates, keyboardist Greg Amburgy and local legend Mike Grosser on bass. This band is a "must see" that will knock your socks off and also melt your heart.

The Mojo Blues Cats- https://www.mojobluescats.com/

If you love the blues, you will love these cats. While laying down cool blues from some of the greats, some of their original stuff and a variety of other music, the Mojo Blues Cats will have you meowing for more.

The late great B.B. King once said, "People all over the world have problems, and as long as people have problems the Blues can never die". So, if you've got the Blues, it's not a bad thing, it just means you feel deeply about what you're going through...These cats will sooth your soul with some good music and make it all better. Featuring Michael Mauldin on drums, Eddie “Kool Aid” James on guitar, Tony “TC” Clark on bass and Tom “Chicago” Richardson on guitar and vocals.

Tootsie Sugars - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577951704531

Tootsie Sugars, an original blues rock band consisting of Ricky Veeneman, Nick Baverman, and Matt Gandenberger, has been in development for quite some time. The timing and chemistry were perfect for this trio to reunite, having originally played together as teenagers. After 25 years of musical endeavors, they have returned to their roots as a trio. With several albums recorded and performances spanning the nation, covering styles from blues and funk to country and hip hop, they are excited to showcase their most authentic sound to date.

Jay Jesse Johnson - https://jayjessejohnson.com/

Jay Jesse Johnson is an American blues-rock guitarist with more than 40 years in the music industry and has recorded on 29 albums, including 7 solo albums. Singer, songwriter and guitarist, Johnson has been impressing blues rock fans throughout North America and Europe since the 80’s.

Jay Jesse Johnson has shared the stage with blues/rock legends, Johnny Winter, Robin Trower, John Mayall, Walter Trout, Rick Derringer, Pat Travers, as well as super groups, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Fabulous Thunderbirds, Jefferson Starship w/ Grace Slick, Judas Priest and Foghat, just to name a few. He currently tours with his band, the Jay Jesse Johnson Band.

Born in rural Indiana, Johnson grew up in the 60’s, influenced by American Blues, Soul, Rock & Roll and the British Invasion. He started playing guitar at the age of 10 and was soon performing at school dances, state fairs and venues in the Midwest.

When he was 18, Johnson hit the road to the East coast, where he began gigging in the New York City/New England music scene with the CT based bands “Sass” and “Cryer”. Recognized for his powerful guitar work, he was soon playing on many studio recordings.

Misterman and the Mojo Band - https://www.mistermanandthemojoband.com

Misterman and the Mojo Band features Bob Herrmann along side of some of Cincy's finest musicians. These professionals have been playing for many years, performing at casinos, clubs, parties, weddings, festivals and corporate events. This talented and popular group perform regularly in the Greater Cincinnati area and enjoys a large fan base. These versatile performers play blues in an exciting upbeat style that audiences love.