EARL THOMAS Featuring THE ANTHONY CULLINS BAND

Club Fox welcomes the powerhouse collaboration of blues master Earl Thomas and blistering guitar phenom Anthony Cullins.
Earl Thomas parlayed a unique voice and style into blues stardom at the beginning of the '90s with his debut album Blue...Not Blues. Offering a fresh alternative to traditional blues, he stands, thirty years and 21 recordings later, as one of the most influential and prolific blues singer-songwriters of his generation. His songs have been recorded by legendary artists such as Etta James, Solomon Burke, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins. Even Sir Tom Jones has covered one of his tracks.
Born into a musical family in rural Tennessee, Earl grew up immersed in music. His father was a bluesman, and his mother a gospel singer, so music runs in his veins. Yet, music was never his initial career goal. It wasn't until a college practical exam that Earl, along with his friend Philip Wootton, inadvertently launched his music career. Their exam project—a self-produced LP titled I Sing the Blues —was made solely to earn a good grade. They were not looking for a recording contract. However, after following a suggestion to mail the album to radio stations, one copy reached Buddy Seagal of the San Diego Union Tribune , who passed it along to Herb Cohen, president of Bizarre-Straight Records.
Within a month, Earl had a two-album deal, and his whirlwind career began. The album was repackaged as Blue...Not Blues and distributed worldwide. Shortly after, Earl found himself performing at the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival, while music legends like Etta James, Solomon Burke, and Screamin' Jay Hawkins began recording his songs. His first international tour followed, marking the beginning of a journey that has taken him around the world—from the Americas to Europe and Asia, and even to the North Pole.
He has since released 20 albums, earned two Grammy nominations, and won four San Diego Music Awards. His songs have been featured in films like 40 Shades of Blue and In the Mix , and TV shows such as ER and Netflix's Hacks . He's shared the stage with icons BB King, Gladys Knight, Albert Collins, Joe Louise Walker, Aretha Franklin, and Ike Turner.
As lead vocalist in the popular Gospel Ambassadors Featuring Sister Leola, Earl Thomas shows his roots in gospel. He calls gospel music the "foundation" of the blues. They were a hit at the 2023 EFG London Jazz Festival, where they brought the house down at the legendary Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. And again, in Norway, at the famed Notodden Blues Festival, Thomas also received a star on the Notodden Blues Walk of Fame.