Blind Boys of Alabama Grace Infinity Hall in Hartford December 2

Hartford, CT – The legendary Blind Boys of Alabama visit Infinity Hall in Hartford this coming Sunday, December 2, 2018. The band is touring in support of its latest album, Almost Home, which is exclusively available on Amazon.com and at shows. Tickets for the upcoming show are available online at: Link to Show Tix at Infinity Hall December 2

Almost Home was recorded over four different sessions with four different GRAMMY-winning producers in four different cities. The album is composed primarily of original songs, which focus on the remarkable journey of the band’s two surviving original members, long-time leader Clarence Fountain, and current leader Jimmy Carter. A myriad of exceptional artists contributed to this release including Valerie June, North Mississippi Allstars, Phil Cook, John Leventhal, Marc Cohn, Ruthie Foster, and more. Leventhal (Rosanne Cash, William Bell) recorded with the Blind Boys and their band in New York City, Vance Powell (Chris Stapleton, Jack White) in Nashville, Chris Goldsmith (Charlie Musselwhite, Ben Harper) in Seattle, and Los Lobos' Steve Berlin (Faith No More, Buckwheat Zydeco) at FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals.

The opening track, “Stayed on the Gospel Side” touches on the story of the Blind Boys which started in the 1940’s in a school for the blind. Jimmy Carter remains the sole original touring member of the group. In the video interview herein The Jimster explains that the second track, “Let my Mother Live” is his prayer that his mother will live until his maturation. Carter’s father passed soon after Jimmy settled into the school for the blind at age seven. God heard Jimmy’s prayers as his mother lived to the age of 103 years. Video Interview with Jimmy Carter of Blind Boys of Alabama 2018

Producers Vance Powell and Charles Driebe leveraged the songwriting abilities of North Mississippi Allstars Cody and Luther Dickinson and Oteil Burbridge on “Pray for Peace”. The North Mississippi Allstars perform this tune in their live repertoire as “Prayer for Peace”. Prayer for Peace by North Mississippi Allstars

As a preview to the show at Infinity Hall it is suggested that the reader check out the Blind Boys with Jackson Browne and Michael McDonald on Bob Dylan’s “I Shall Be Released”. Blind Boys - I Shall Be Released with Jackson Browne & Michael McDonald Paul Beasley’s falsetto enthralls the Beacon Theatre audience. The current line up of the Blind Boys includes former Gregg Allman Band keyboardist, Peter Levin. Levin displays a mastery of the B-3 organ that few possess which adds depth and breathe to the backing band. Jimmy Carter left me with a final message of love and gratitude for the fans and friends of the Blind Boys of Alabama. One and all are urged to go out and become a friend of the band this Sunday.

Current members of the Blind Boys of Alabama:

Jimmy Carter – vocals.

Ben Moore – vocals.

Eric "Ricky" McKinnie – drums, percussion, vocals.

Joey Williams – lead guitar, vocals.

Trae Pierce – bass.

Peter Levin – organ.

Paul Beasley – vocals.

About Jim Carty: Mr. Carty has produced and hosted blues, jazz and American roots radio shows in Boston and Pittsburgh. He booked legendary acts such as Jay Geils, Big Jack Johnson, Ronnie Earl, Alvin "Youngblood" Hart, Steady Rollin' Bob Margolin to name a few. As a concert producer he has worked with members of the Allman Brothers, Guns and Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bad Company, Chuck Berry, Alice Cooper, Kiss and many others. Jim was proudly tapped as the host of the Centennial Celebration of the Blues at Tanglewood. He spent several years as an Old Lyme resident in his youth and he has recently returned home to the Connecticut Shoreline. Contact at: jcbc93@gmail.com