Bluesman, Mike Zito to Release ‘First Class Life’ Album

BLUES MUSIC AWARD NOMINEE TELLS HIS TRUE STORY OF REDEMPTION

There may not be a more honest bluesman than Mike Zito, whose 15^th album First Class Life comes out May 11 on Ruf Records. The rocking yet poignant title track explores his journey from addiction to sobriety and then musical recognition–Zito is a two-time 2017 Blues Music Award nominee. “Second chance at a first class life,” he sings, recalling the hard times. The Texas-based blues-rock musician smiles and continues, “I grew up poor in St. Louis, and now I’m travelling the world to sing my songs.”

Zito’s star has been on the rise of late, both solo and as a member of the Royal Southern Brotherhood, with bandmates Cyril Neville, Devon Allman, Charlie Wooten and Yonrico Scott.

Blues-rock is a tightrope and Mike Zito has never lost his footing. In his storied two-decade career, the Texas bandleader has rolled up the amps and rocked as hard as anyone. Yet his lifelong fascination with the blues has always reeled him back in. First Class Life finds Zito diving deep into the only genre that can do justice to his hard-won true stories of hardship and redemption.

As is fitting for a man with the word “Blues” tattooed across his picking hand, First Class Life focuses squarely on blues with heart and chops to spare, not to mention wit and openness. The punchy “Time For A Change” conjures the tension in the world today while the exquisite Memphis-style song, “The World We Live In,” recalls BB King in its world-weariness. The electrified blues bounce of “Dying Day” finds Zito swearing life-long allegiance to his wife. “Old Black Graveyard” sets the scene of a bluesman’s final resting place and its disrepair, along with some possible supernatural influences, with Zito’s masterful slide guitar flourishes driving it home.

Yet the record’s darker moments are offset by cuts like “Mama Don’t Like No Wah Wah,” the funky crash-bang-wallop gem written with Ruf label mate, Bernard Allison, about the late legend Koko Taylor. “Bernard told me about his first gig as guitarist for Taylor,” laughs Mike. “Koko didn’t like any effects on the guitar, she wanted it to sound natural. When Bernard made an attempt to use an effect on his guitar after playing with her for months, he got caught. ‘Mama don’t like no wah wah’ is what he was told. That’s a song to me!” The two guitar slingers trade off, trying to one up each other atop a funky blues groove, including Allison pulling out his forbidden wah wah pedal. The tongue-in-cheek “Back Problems” is a showcase for Zito’s wit as a songwriter.

To Pre-Order First Class Life by Mike Zito see here http://mikezitoonlinestore.bigcartel.com/product/first-class-life-pre-sale-bundle

To listen to a preview of the title track on Mike Zito’s upcoming album, go to his website, www.mikezito.com

MIKE ZITO US TOUR DATES

Mar 23 – Smokin’ Moe’s – Winter Park, CO

Mar 24 – Oriental Theatre – Denver, CO

Mar 25 – Stargazers Theatre – Colorado Springs, CO

Mar 26 – Yoshi’s – Oakland, CA

May 11 – Atomic Cowboy Pavilion – St. Louis, MO

May 12 – B House Live – Lombard, IL

May 13 – Dry Riders MC Club House – Day Heights, OH

May 16 – Natalie’s – Worthington, OH

May 17 – Tralf Music Hall – Buffalo, NY

May 18 – Moondogs – Pittsburgh, PA

May 19 – Chesapeake Bay Blues Festival – Annapolis, MD

June 6 & 7 – Highway 61 Blues Club – Irving, TX

June 9 – Redneck Country Club – Stafford, TX (with Delbert McClinton)

July 21 – Sioux Falls Jazzfest – Sioux Falls, SD

Aug 3  — Doesy Doe – Woodlands, TX

Aug 25 – Blues on the Bay – Ellison Bay, WI