Blues guitarist and vocalist, Chris Cain is performing at the Mauao Performing Arts. Photo/supplied
He's been crowned King of the Blues by big band leader Rodger Fox and this weekend Chris Cain plays at the Mount with Tauranga musicians Joel Shadbolt, Rory Macartney, Lauren Ellis and Ben Wilcock.
Shadbolt first saw Chris Cain perform when he was 15 and said the bluesman left a
lasting imprint and has been an inspiration ever since.
Hailing from the United States, Cain has the blues equivalent of grammy nominations, receiving four W.C. Handy awards and according to Shadbolt, "is phenomenal".
A sizzling performer with a voice that packs a punch, Cain won Guitarist of the Year in 1987 with his debut album Late Night City Blues. He's gone on to release 10 more albums since and has been compared to 'old masters' like Bobby Bland and B.B. King by the Washington Post.
"For local musicians to get to play with an international performer - it's kind of special and amazing," says Shadbolt.
