Artist description StikMen deliver Americana at it's best. Featuring Chicago's own Norman D on vocals, the music gets you moving and attacks the heart all at the same time. Emotional guitar passages provided by dual Fender Benders Kevin Paul and Mario Massi add the right edge to the mix. If you think you would like to hear Doctor John and Delbert Mclinton jam with Albert King, John Mayall, Otis Spann and Duck Dunn, StikMen are for you.

Music Style Americana Rock, Blues & Soul, Classic R&B, Chicago Blues, Pop

Musical Influences Delbert McClinton Bruce Springsteen Albert King Little Feat

Similar Artists Delbert McClinton, Doctor John, Bob Seeger Little Feat Albert King Bruce Springsteen Electric Flag Eric Clapton Mike Bloomfield Savoy brown Jimi Hendrix Omar and The Howlers John Hiatt

Artist History Recent history might reveal that StikMen was the next natural step for former Thrillbilly guitarists Mario (SnakeCharmer) Massi and Kevin (Stik) Paul. The truth is that StikMen was formed in the blues shakin', house rockin', gospel wailin', western swingin', soul burnin' fire of American music.Reflecting the best influences of the last century StikMen has managed to merge the melting pot of our diverse tastes into one amazing musical treat. Their first effort "you gotta' believe' has been called by critics as "Americana at its finest" and "too good to miss". The vision of Massi and Paul soared with the addition of vocalist Norman Norman D. and Muscle Shoals bassist Michael (Daddy Wags) Wagner. Under the sparkling production and behind the feisty guitar interplay of Massi and Paul the sound of StikMen emerged. Norman D. is credited with giving the band their true "voice" and although he is favorably compared to such heavyweights as Doctor John and Delbert McClinton, Norman is original in his approach to the StikMen songbook. Emotions from primal to romantic are evident when Norman takes the mic and the sincerity he delivers is unquestionable.Newest members Phil (Felipe Fingers) Balsano and Trey Sims round out the sound with rich keyboards and bombastic drumming. The band experiences a constant barrage of hits and downloads at their website as well a growing legion of fans at their live shows. StikMen songs "Smile On Your Face" and "Fast Mover" are mainstays of MP3 charts while "More Than Money" remained in the top ten chart of electric blues for over six months! The band has been busy recording their second CD "Livin' Proof" which only serves to reinforce and expand their obvious mastery of the American idiom. Pulling from their many years of experience with acts such as Madfox, Jan James, Tantrum, StreetCorner Blue and the Ronnie Nyles Band, Norman D. speaks for the entire group when he croons, "I'm the livin' proof that life goes on." Yes, life goes on for StikMen and it is only a matter of time until that message gets to one and all!

Group Members Norman D, Mario Massi, Kevin Paul, Michael Daddy Wags Wagner, Phil Balsano

Instruments Guitars, Piano, Hammond Organ, Drums, Percussion, Bass, Harp, Dobro

Albums you gotta believe, Westwood Entertainment Group

Press Reviews "This CD is nothing short of brilliant. From the opening bars of Fast Mover, which has a cajun feel about it, right through to the closing track, Coming to your rescue, every track is a joy to behold. To sum up, StikMen are one of the best groups I have heard in a long time, if they are representative of Chicago's music, my only comment is, you lucky, lucky people."Trevor Knightsmith, UK Music Critic for The Chicago music Network.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "StikMen's first album, you gotta' believe, is starting to make people stand up and take notice. These well crafted songs have enough honesty and emotion to get you singing the hooks in your car." Roland Stone, Accent on Tampa Bay.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * StikMen are very talented and very versatile, with numbers ranging from blues to rock to Zydeco. Every one I listened to was delightful, including the blues vocalist tune, "Smile On My Face." I decided "She's All Right," which also has a bluesy sound, is my favorite of all of them for download. Norman D's vocals have that quality that grabs you and makes you drop everything else just to listen. HIGHEST RATING, EXCELLENT, GET THE CD! Xemplary Reviews, 10/99 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Rated Three and a half yaks by mp3Yak.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "These guys rage!" mp3.com * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *These guys have it "goin' on"!! The whole band showed up for this gig. Tantalizing guitar breaks, thumping bass and even horns make up this ultra-tight blues/jazz/rock band. The vocalist has a Louis Armstrong on steroids tone that grabs you and won't let go - until he says it's ok to let go. Take my advice and just do what he says. The StikMen sound like they are having fun making music and it shows; I had fun listening to this song. The call and return "More Than Money" gang/band vocals were reminiscent of the big-band sound and made the song even more fun. Despite what the song says, with the right contacts and some good fortune, (if they haven't already) StikMen could probably make a pile of money with their sound professional musicians and excellent song-writing. Despite your tastes in music, I can't see how anyone wouldn't find this a whole bunch of fun! The Rob Report Highest Rating *RRRRR* 1/4/2000 * * * * * * * * * * Uchishiba Seisakusho, Inc. Osaka Japan, 10/1999. StikMen was selected as one of the best R&B bands currently distributing their music through the web and Uchishiba is honored that they have agreed to participate in this CD project. The two StikMen tracks featured ("More than money" and "Smile on your face") are both very solid examples of the high quality music we have been able to include on the CD. Uchishiba Seisakusho, Inc, the makers of Cozo Speakers for iMac.* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Blues"Uhhhh...in den Händen der StikMen wird jede Fender Telecaster zu Butter! Was für eine Gänsehaut-Nummer...die Jungs haben den Blues...so sieht es wohl aus!!" Künstler: StikMen Scout: Oli BeSonic.com 8/2000 * *(translated)* * "Uhh!...in the hands of StikMen every Fender Telecaster melts like butter! What a goose-pimples tune....these guys got the blues....that´s the way it is!" * * * Smile on your facePop "Smile On Your Face" Mein Favorit von den 6 StikMen-Songs, die ich fürs Downloaden empfehle (vgl. meine Rezension).Künstler: StikMen Scout: JS * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Blues "You Don't Love Me" Super Stück. Der richtige Stoff, großartiger Gesang. Alles professionell gemacht, prima Songwriting, tolles Arrangement, vorzüglich aufgenommen und abgemischt.Künstler: StikMen Scout: JS * * * * "You gotta believe! This group that call themselves Stikmen made a believer out of me. Hailing from Chicago the group draws from the rich and diverse musical roots of the windy city. The recent addition of Muscle Shoals bass player Michael "Daddy Wags" Wagner has given the group a distinct Cajun/Zydeco sound that works it's way into several of the tunes. This is rock and roll with heaps of soul. It starts to simmer and cook and then overflows out of the vast musical pot from which it's brewed. Tremendous energy and emotion is channeled into each tune. The hot spice of the blues is accompanied by the driving force of rock and roll. Feel the need to let your hair down?, Let Stikmen get you loosened up and uninhibited. This is Stikmen's debut release. They come storming right out of the gate. The vital, unrelenting exhibition of musical adeptness that's displayed on this CD isn't always found on a first effort. The strength of this recording is apparent from start to finish. Cut it loose and have ball with the Stikmen. Ummm...mighty fine music." MusicDish Industry e-Journal

Additional Info Special thanks to Hammond/Suzuki - Gibson Guitars - Cozo Speakers - AngelCiti - Westwood Entertainment Group - WCKG - KROQ - Paul Reed Smith Guitars - Tom Anderson Guitars - The Fender Custom Shop - mp3.com - Trey Sims - Nashville Nick - Pete Kruse - Boom Boom Baumann - Mike Torpe - Jeff Burns - Darren Mende - The Production team of Massi & Paul

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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