BULLSEYE BLUES & JAZZ/ROUNDER RELEASES NEW ALBUM BY EDDY "THE CHIEF" CLEARWATER & LOS STRAITJACKETS ON AUGUST 12, 2003

Nashville - The headdress-wearing bluesman turns it up a notch by inviting NorthAmerica's most magnificent masked rhythm section to join him on thirteen slabs of rollickin' rhythm 'n' rock.

One of the most versatile and flamboyant entertainers on the blues scene, Chicago blues legend EDDY 'THE CHIEF' CLEARWATER teams up with masked surf rockers LOS STRAITJACKETS (DANNY AMIS - guitar, EDDIE ANGEL - guitar, PETE CURRY - bass, JIMMY LESTER - drums) on his upcoming Bullseye Blues & Jazz/Rounder release "ROCK 'N' ROLL CITY"/(AUGUST 12, 2003). Recorded in Nashville at George Bradfute's "Tone Chapparal" studio (former home of country music legend Jim Reeves) in January 2003, "ROCK 'N' ROLL CITY" was produced by JAKE GURALNICK and features Los Amigos de Nashville (aka Bradfute - banjo/bass/guitar, DENNIS TAYLOR - saxophone, and STEVE CONN - keyboards.

Exploring a side of Clearwater only hinted at on previous releases, "ROCK 'N' ROLL CITY" serves up a spirited romp that includes everything from raw rockabilly to classic R&B. In addition to cover versions of such vintage rarities as ³You¹re Humbuggin¹ Me,² ³Ding Dong Daddy² and ³Let the Four Winds Blow,² "ROCK 'N' ROLL CITY" is chock full of Clearwater originals that burst with the freshness and exuberance of early Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry and Fats Domino. Los Straitjackets¹ surf influence is prominently displayed on the dreamy Eddie Angel-penned ³Lonesome Town² and the instrumental jam ³Monkey Paw.²

"Eddy 'The Chief' Clearwater plays the blues in all its variation without losing sight of its original function as party music...continues to power his music with contagious enthusiasm..." (Charles Young/Playboy)

Clearwater (ne Harrington), born January 10, 1935 in Macon, MS, grew up listening to both Delta blues and country & western records. At age 13, his family moved to Birmingham, AL where Eddy, on guitar, began backing various gospel groups including the Five Blind Boys of Alabama. He was still playing gospel when he first hit Chicago's West Side in 1950. The West Side was just starting to develop a sound with people like Magic Sam and Otis Rush. Magic Sam became not only a major influence, but a friend and soulmate as well. By 1953, Clearwater made his move into blues. In 1957, Clearwater happened upon another of his major stylistic influences on hearing Chuck Berry's "Oh Baby Doll" blasting from his car radio. With his distinctive blend of Berry-style rock (and occasional duckwalk) and Magic Sam-influenced West Side blues combined with his left-handed, upside-down guitar technique and dramatic stage performances, Clearwater quickly developed a reputation as a great showman with a diverse repertoire. He recorded several singles and worked steadily in Chicago-area clubs for the next 20 years, remaining one of the city's hidden treasures until recognition of his talents finally came -- from abroad.

Clearwater toured Europe twice during the '70s, appeared on BBC-TV and recorded for France's MCM company. His 1980 U.S. debut album, THE CHIEF, (named for Clearwater's affinity for performing wearing the full Indian headdress given to him as a good luck charm) was the first release on Chicago's Rooster Blues label. Since then, Clearwater's released a dozen albums including 1997's MEAN CASE OF THE BLUES/Bullseye Blues (with his 1998 Handy Award-nominated "Blues Song Of The Year" "Don't Take My Blues"), COOL BLUES WALK/Bullseye Blues and 2000's RESERVATION BLUES.

Clearwater was named "Best Blues Entertainer" at the 2003 CHICAGO MUSIC AWARDS. He won the 2001 W. C. Handy Award for "CONTEMPORARY BLUES-MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR". His critically-acclaimed album "Reservation Blues" was nominated for Handy Awards in three additional categories including "Blues Album Of The Year" (Reservation Blues), "Contemporary Blues Album Of The Year" (Reservation Blues), "Blues Song of the Year" (K. Leipziger, R. Fleming "Winds of Change", Reservation Blues). "...the most personal and most artistically successful record he has released during his long career..." (Philip Van Vleck/Billboard)