[Harp-L] Re: Mitch Kashmar

[tom ball <havaball@xxxxxxx>]

> XM Radio's Bluesville has being playing a lot of Mitch Kashmar lately. He
> plays diatonic and chromatic and is very competent of both insturments.
> He's a great vocalist. I really like the guy, but know very little about
> him. I think he's out of Southern California.
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Mitch is indeed from So Cal -- Santa Barbara.  I first met Mitch 
about 25 years ago when he was a teenager sneaking into the bars to 
catch the Santa Barbara Blues Society shows.  He was already a great 
player at that point, and he's only gotten better and better.

Mitch is one of those guys who deserves to be much better known on a 
national level, and finally seems to be getting his due propers.  In 
the early '90s he fronted The Pontiax, who toured Europe a few times, 
played the mainstage at several prestigious festivals, made a record 
for a Belgian company and seemed right of the verge of better 
recognition -- but somehow they never quite got over the hump. 
Certainly this was NOT due to a lack of talent -- they were a superb 
band.

In more recent times, Mitch recorded a Little Walter tribute CD back 
in '99 http://cdbaby.com/cd/mitchkashmar  and his newest CD is doing 
really well http://cdbaby.com/cd/mkashmar

Mitch is an old buddy.  A very dynamic singer, witty writer and GREAT 
harpman.  I couldn't be happier than to see the world finally 
catching up to him.

cheers,

Tom Ball