Walter Trout's RETURN Home To SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Proves Successful

HOOPLA MEDIA & PUBLIC RELATIONS
Alexandra Greenberg
p. (323) 852-9444, f. (323) 852-1958 e. alexandra@hooplapr.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Walter Trout'S RETURN Home To SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA Proves Successful

(LOS ANGELES) - February 4, 2000 - After almost a year on the road, highly acclaimed bluesman Walter Trout returned home to Southern California this past weekend to a warm welcome. The Huntington Beach resident along with his band, The Free Radicals, played to capacity crowds during three consecutive dates in the area - Thursday, January 27 at Blind Melon's in San Diego (SOLD OUT); Friday, January 28 at the Blue Café in Long Beach; and Saturday, January 29 at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano (SOLD OUT).

Said Michele Armstrong of San Diego Jazz & Blues Magazine of Trout's January 27 performance in San Diego: "FABULOUS PERFORMER! EASILY HOLDS THE CROWD IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND: Raging guitar techniques! Equal bits taken from the classic 'Fur Elise' on to heavy rock, and then back to the blues. This guy and his band knows how to bring the crowd in and keep them all the way to an awesome finish - helping them to forget for a moment the' daily grind' and transporting each listener up off their chairs to the joyous heart thumping conclusion."

Trout released "Livin' Every Day" (Ruf Records) in June of 1999 to high critical acclaim, including a 4 star review from the Orange County Register. A former sideman for John Lee Hooker, Big Mama Thornton, John Mayall's Bluesbreakers and Canned Heat, Trout's high profile gigging won him a devout audience in the U.S. and Europe, the latter where he has sold over 400,000 copies of his previous releases. Finally, in a BBC poll, Trout was ranked number six out of the top 20 all-time greatest guitarists, right behind Jimmy Page.

Trout will release his next project, a still untitled live album, via Ruf Records on June 13. Upcoming Walter Trout dates are:

February
2/5 Riverside, CA - Lake Alice Trading Co.
2/7 Las Vegas, NV - Boulder Station Casino
2/11 -12 Huntington Beach, CA - Tumbleweeds
2/19 Ventura, CA - Ventura Theater
2/25-26 Huntington Beach, CA - Perq's

March
3/10 Los Angeles - Jack's Sugar Shack
3/11 Newport Beach, CA - Hogue Barmichaels
3/16 San Diego, CA - Blind Melons
3/17 Long Beach, CA - Blue Café
3/18 Huntington Beach, CA - Perq's
3/26 Tampa, FL - Tampa Bay Blues Festival

Check CONCERTS pages for updated dates

Joining Trout in his longstanding Free Radicals lineup are James Trapp (bass), Paul Kallestad (Hammond B3 organ, keyboards) and Bernie Pershey (drums, percussion).

For more information on WALTER TROUT and/or Ruf Records contact:
Alexandra Greenberg/HoopLA Media & Public Relations
(323) 852 -9444; alexandra@hooplapr.com