The Spa City Blues Society will welcome Selwyn Birchwood and his band at The Big Chill at 8 p.m. Thursday.
Currently signed to Alligator Records, Birchwood, the 2013 Albert King Guitarist of the Year winner, along with saxophonist Regi Oliver, bassist Donald "Huff" Wright and drummer Courtney Girlie, in 2014 released "Don't Call No Ambulance," which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard's "Top Blues Albums" charts and won New Recordings/Best Debut for the album at the 2015 Living Blues Awards. That same year, the band won Best New Artist Debut at the Blues Music Awards.
The band performed during the 2013 International Blues Challenge. Since winning the 2013 International Blues Challenge held in Memphis, Tenn., the band has had the opportunity to open for legendary blues acts including Buddy Guy, Joe Louis Walker and Robert Cray, a news release said.
The band has played at the King Biscuit Blues Festival, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and the Hot Springs Blues Festival.
Born in Orlando, Fla., in 1985, Birchwood first picked up a guitar at the age of 13. First inspired by Jimi Hendrix, Birchwood felt as blues was his true calling, the release said. He also studied and appreciated the blues music of Albert King and Muddy Waters. This deep fondness led Birchwood to form his own band, eventually releasing the band's debut album "FL Boy" in 2011.
After winning the International Blues Challenge, the band released its sophomore album, 2014's "Road Worn." That same year, the band signed with booking agency Intrepid Artists and Chicago-based Alligator Records.
Admission to the show is $20 per person.
Entertainment on 02/17/2017