Monday Spotlight: Big Earl & the Cryin’ Shame
In Monday Spotlight, we’ll share information about and highlight the movers and shakers in regional arts and entertainment, community organizations, businesses and more. The Monday Spotlight will run every other week in Monday’s Explore: Life section.
This week, we spotlight a Modesto band that has made a mark on the local music scene.
Name: Big Earl & the Cryin’ Shame (members: Big Earl Matthews, vocals; Randall Niemann, bass; Eli Lester, guitar; Jason Finley, guitar; Ian Stambaugh, drums)
Home base: Modesto
What you do: Blues
How you knew: Matthews: “I have always had an unassailable desire to create and express myself. It has taken many different forms over the years, but music won the art form battle. Performing creates a special emotion that is hard to describe. It’s a feeling you want to keep feeling. Plus the camaraderie we have in the band is irreplaceable. Once the passion was rooted, I was hooked.”
Go ahead, brag: Since the band’s inception in 2007, it has done approximately 400 shows. Everything from festivals such as the Sacramento Music Festival, Blues and Bones Festival, Blues Harmonica Blow Out to club shows from Fresno to the famous Torch Club in Sacramento. It won the Modesto Area Music Association award for Best Blues and Jazz artist in 2010. Since then the band has shared the stage with artists such as Shad Harris, Chris Cain, Charlie Musslewhite, Café R&B, John Nemeth and B.B .King. Being the supporting act for King opened the door for the band to headline the Gallo Center for the Arts last October.
Check you out: Kiwanis’ Car Show at Muni Golf Course, June 13; The Tower District Father’s Day Blues Festival in Fresno, June 21; Blues and Bones in Angels Camp, July 25; Lodi Blues and Brews, Aug. 14; The State Theatre, Aug. 29, with Carolyn Wonderland; The Torch Club, Sept. 5; Gallo Center, Jan. 16.
Online: Facebook www.facebook.com/bigearlandthecryinshame, Reverb Nation www.reverbnation.com/bigearlandthecryinshame, YouTube www.youtube.com/user/bigearlz1
Are you an area artist or entertainer? Want to be part of Monday Spotlight? Email mrowland@modbee.com.
This story was originally published May 29, 2015 at 11:53 AM with the headline "Monday Spotlight: Big Earl & the Cryin’ Shame."