Professional blues band to perform at the Phoenix

Reverend Raven and the Chain Smokin' Altar Boys, a professional Chicago-style blues band out of Milwaukee, is coming to the Phoenix in Alexandria on October 11 from 7 to 11 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. Raapers will provide a variety of food, including a nachos, and a full bar.

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, the Reverend has been playing the blues since 1971, when he first saw Freddy King play at the Kinetic Theatre in Chicago.

After a 15-year hitch in the Navy, he moved to Milwaukee where he began a long friendship and collaboration with Madison Slim, a long-time harmonica player for Jimmy Rogers.

Since 1990, he has opened for B.B. King, Gatemouth Brown, Pinetop Perkins, Koko Taylor Band and numerous others at festivals and at Buddy Guy's Legends. Locally, he has performed with Billy Flynn, Perry Weber, Piano Willie, Stokes, Jon Paris, Clyde Stubblefield, Bryan Lee and the Lamont Cranston band.

The Reverend won the Wisconsin Music Industry (WAMI) award for best blues band in 1999, 2000, 2004, 2005, 2008 and again in 2010.

WHAT: Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Altar Boys, a Chicago-style blues band

WHEN: Thursday, October 11 from 7 to 11 p.m.

WHERE: The Phoenix, Alexandria, MN

Tags: variety, music, concert, blues, entertainment, band