During a career that began when he joined Roomful of Blues, Ronnie Earl has charted a course that has led him to become a legendary musician; one recognized around the world for his dynamic and soulful playing. For his sixth Stony Plain album, Spread the Love, Ronnie Earl has raised the bar even further, with 14 instrumental tracks that speak volumes of his amazing fret work, whether on originals or paying tribute to his influences such as Albert Collins (“Backstroke”) and Kenny Burrell (“Chitlins Con Carne), or on the beautifully spiritual ballad written by Duke Pearson, (but perhaps best-known by trumpeter Donald Byrd’s version) “Christo Redentor.”
 
On his original songs, Earl continues to spread the message of love and hope through his music, which is loaded with the kind of energy, passion, and serious grooves only he can deliver. He tips his hat to others such as Jackie Robinson (“Blues for Jackie Robinson”), Duane Allman (“Skyman”) and with the help of his regular keyboardist, Dave Limina, gives a playful musical nod to legendary pianist Otis Spann on “Spann’s Groove.” The other members of Ronnie’s band, The Broadcasters, are Lorne Entress on drums and Jim Mouradian on bass.
 
Ronnie Earl has been hailed by musicians and critics alike as one of the premier blues guitarists of his generation. He’s played with such greats as Carlos Santana, Eric Clapton, Earl King, Stevie Ray Vaughan and The Allman Brothers Band.
 
Reviews of his albums typically become a veritable love-fest, as critics try to come up with new descriptions for his amazing guitar work. “When it’s time for spiritual rejuvenation, it’s time for a visit from Ronnie Earl, pastor at the church of tone. Come in, listen, and be healed,!” - Vintage Guitar. “Blues has no better essayist in taste, tone and tension than Strat magician Ronnie Earl ... Earl’s got his mojo working overtime,” -

Guitar World. “Ronnie Earl can still take your breath away ... Earl's playing has remained as inspiring as his humility, gratitude, and altruism.” - Guitar Player. “Earl is at his mesmerizing best when communicating with an audience ... The all-instrumental set allows the subtlety of Earl’s genius to shine.” - Boston Herald. “His deeply personal process of squeezing out taut, precise notes during many slow passages makes for riveting listening.” – Downbeat.

For more information, visit www.stonyplainrecords.com.

Stony Plain Artist’s Biography: RONNIE EARL:
 
Spread the Love

All you need is love — as well as deep
respect and gratitude for family, friends
and mentors, as one of the world’s legendary guitarists releases a new collection of blues, jazz and soul-soaked instrumentals
   
Ronnie Earl is one of the great guitarists in the history of modern blues. He has toured all over the United States and Europe, playing to audiences large and small, alongside and learning from some of the best musicians in the world. Through it all, at every venue and with every note, Ronnie Earl gave more than one hundred percent, until it was time to come home and live a quiet life in the country, surrounded by a loving and tight-knight community of family and friends.

These days he doesn’t tour too far away from home, instead preferring intimate venues where he can be close to his audience, and remains purposely distant from the logistics of the current music “business.”

At this point in his career, Earl believes that all you really need is love.

That is, then, the genesis of his sixth album for Stony Plain, the independent roots music label based in Edmonton, Alberta. Spread the Love (SPCD-1347) consists of 14 instrumental tracks, soaked through with energy, passion, drive, serious grooves — and the deepest respect for his mentors and affection for his huge extended family, which includes thousands of fans around the world.

Once again, Earl seems to have “upped” his guitar playing. There is not a single false note on this CD, not an ambitious musical idea that fails to fall perfectly into place, not a second when the keenest of listeners won’t be surprised by his invention, his skill, and his heart. 

With his crack musicians — The Broadcasters — Earl has created another varied mix of blues, jazz and soul, all marked by his distinctive guitar style and the passionate conviction he brings to every track. Almost all the material is written by Earl and his band members, although the CD opens with a razor-sharp Albert Collins tune, Backstroke, and the third track is a mid-tempo jazzy romp through Kenny Burrell’s Chitlins Con Carne.

Earl demonstrates his deep faith as he ushers the listener into the spiritual realm with a peaceful offering of Donald Byrd’s Cristo Redentor, and his own prayerful Eleventh Step to Heaven. He shakes things up with the hard driving Miracle, pays tribute to his wife Donna, baseball hero Jackie Robinson, as well as guitarist Duane Allman in Skyman. Dave Limina gives a playful musical nod to pianist Otis Spann in Spann’s Groove, while Lorne Entress’ tranquil Patience unfolds wistfully.