Bill Rhoades & Alan Hager
"No doubt about it, what these guys do, they do quite
well" The Victory Review "They are two of the
Northwest's finest Blues musicians!" Blues Notes Visit
Bill Rhodes’ website Visit
Alan Hager’s page at the Cascade Blues Society Click here to see this month's Bill Rhodes
and the Party Kings live schedule.
Bill Rhoades grew up in
Eugene, Oregon in the early 1950's. In the mid 1960's Bill was turned on to
the sounds of various British blues-rock bands like The Yardbirds, The
Animals, The Rolling Stones, Them and Manfred Mann. Their repertoire of
harp-driven r & b covers inspired Bill to discover the music of legendary
blues artists such as Muddy Waters, Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Willie Dixon
and Sonny Boy Williamson. Rick, Bill's younger brother,
was also listening to blues at the time and bought a set of harmonicas, which
eventually ended up in a drawer. Little by little, Bill began 'borrowing'
these harmonicas and teaching himself how to play by listening to the
legendary blues of Sonny Boy Williamson II, Slim Harpo, Big Walter Horton,
James Cotton and the great Little Walter. Throughout the late 1960's and
into the early 1970's, Bill sat in on many jam sessions and eventually formed
his first band, The Rhythm Kings. He then went on to front the Bill Rhoades
Blues Band, which evolved into his longtime band, The Party Kings. While
performing in Eugene in the late 1970's, Bill had the pleasure of backing a
variety of blues artists, including Albert Collins, J.J. Malone, Michael
Bloomfield, and a young Robert Cray. Bill's
absolute love for the blues led him to co-found the Oregon Blues Society
where he was elected its first president. In addition to the Blues Society,
radio proved to be another outlet for Bill's passion as he began his seven
year stint hosting the "Blues Power" show on college radio station,
KLCC. Through this medium Bill had the opportunity to interview blues artists
such as Roy "Good Rockin'" Brown, Koko Taylor, Philip Walker,
Robert Cray, Sonny Rhodes and R.L. Burnside. In the mid 1980's, Bill
relocated to the thriving blues community of Portland, Oregon where he formed
the band Blues Deluxe. Soon afterwards he reassembled The Party Kings. He
resumed his radio career by hosting a blues program called "Blue
Monday" for public radio station KBOO, which still airs today. Bill also
co-founded the regional Cascade Blues Association. During the early 1990's, Bill
played with Jimmy Lloyd Rea & The Switchmasters. The band received the
prestigious "Muddy" awards from the Cascade Blues Association twice
for Best Blues Act and once for Best Northwest Blues Recording. Bill has
received two "Muddy" awards for Best Blues Harmonica and the
"George Paige Back What You Believe In" award. After once again
reforming the Party Kings in 1993 the band was recognized with a
"Muddy" awarded for Best New Band. Over the years, Bill has had the
honor of playing with Jimmy Rogers, Big Daddy Kinsey, Smokey Wilson, Luther
Tucker and Clarence "Guitar" Sims. Annual projects that Bill avidly
participates in are the Blues Harmonica Summit every winter, and the Blues
Harmonica Blow-off every Fourth of July. It is Bill's dedication to the blues
that has him known as the "Godfather" of Northwest Blues. Alan Hager is also a Portland,
Oregon native whose early musical influences include an array of rock
influenced blues artists including Eric Clapton to Canned Heat. As with Bill,
Alan became enchanted by recordings of Charley Patton, Son House and Muddy
Waters. Alan spent hundreds of hours transcribing and learning from these
records, inspiring him to form his own band (performing note-for-note covers)
in his high school years. Moving to Boston,
Massachusetts after high school, Alan attended the Berklee College of Music
where he studied with guitarist Pat Metheny for one year. It was at this time
Alan realized he had a strong interest in classical music, which brought
about a transfer to the New England Conservatory of Music. Graduating with a
bachelor of music degree, Alan began his teaching career which continues to
this day. While living on the East
coast, Alan performed with the Boston Symphony, the Boston Opera Company and
many chamber music ensembles. Alan's musical expertise has led to performances
all over the world and has included numerous television appearances and radio
broadcasts. Alan's transcription and
performance of Beethoven Trio Op. 87 was released in '83 on Sail Records and
received excellent reviews in Guitar Player Magazine, Guitar Review, and
Guitar & Lute. His appreciation and love of classical music remains
strong as he continues to transcribe musical masterpieces. Returning to Portland in 1988,
Alan became reacquainted with an early blues partner, Terry Robb. Alan and
Terry have been making music for over 20 years together, performing
throughout the Northwest. In 1994 Alan and Terry teamed up for the recording
of "The Terry Robb Trio" CD released on Burnside Records, which
garnered rave reviews in the U.S. and Europe. In 1996 Bill Rhoades and Alan
Hager met and have been actively performed together ever since. Currently
Alan is busy with re-workings of early acoustic blues classics and writing
original material for the duo in an effort to expand their musical horizons
while staying true to the feel and flavor of the past. "Runnin &
Ramblin'" (BCD 0030) produced by label mate Terry Robb, is 47 minutes of
authentic traditional acoustic blues rendered by musicians who resonate the
very essence of the blues. In addition to traditional blues songs such as
"John Henry," and "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean,"
"Runnin' & Ramblin' " also features original compositions by
both Bill and Alan including Alan Hager's title track, "I'll Show You
How," and Bill Rhoades "Blue Collar Worker."
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