Blue Merlot profile picture

Blue Merlot

Fun, rocking blues with a south Louisiana flavor!

About Me

I edited my profile with Thomas' Myspace Editor V4.4A blues band that rocks, swings, and grooves? With a sound based inthe blues, Blue Merlot goes far beyond the “Blue” that’s in their name. This quartet brews up a flavorful blend of styles, some from their native Louisiana, to deliver an uptempo, driving, fun sound best described as “gumbo funk.”
R & B grooves mix with harmonic vocals and distinctive New Orleans style keyboard virtuosity are some of the elements that make up their unique sound. Blues, Jazz, Rock ‘n Roll, R & B, Gospel, and Swamp Pop are some of the ingredients.
Founded in 2001, the original group won the Louisiana Blues Challenge and represented the band at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Tennessee. They were chosen by LBC judges* to have the musicianship, energy and professionalism to represent the Louisiana Blues Preservation Society in this international event.
Since that time, the group has encompassed the driving rhythm section of Buddy Romero and Gerald Romero. The Romero brothers are familiar to fans and musicians alike, having played with Wayne Toups, Joe Douglas, the Boogie Kings, and other well-know regional acts. They join Blue Merlot founders Brenda DeKeyzer Lowry and Joshua “Bubba” Murrell to round out a solid, tight, and highly entertaining band.
Keyboard and lead guitar player Bubba Murrell is a virtuoso of different styles in both instruments. From New-Orleans style piano to organ funk, and all stops in between, Murrell’s keyboard parts are tasty, rich, and full. Just when you wonder what else he has up his sleeve, he picks up his guitar and wails. Sometimes he can’t decide which instrument to play, so he plays them both (sometimes at the same time). It’s tempting to consider classically-trained vocalist and rhythm guitarist Brenda Lowry as “stage candy,” but when she opens her mouth to sing, you realize your ears are in for a treat. From ballads to rocking blues and jazz, Lowry delivers a solid vocal presence that you won’t forget. This woman rocks.
A hallmark of Blue Merlot is that crowds tend to stay when they play. The band fits smoothly into venues as varied as festivals with family attendance, dancehalls, restaurants, nightclubs, and private parties.
The band's debut CD, entitled Blue Merlot, was recorded at Dockside Studios outside of Lafayette, La. with Steve Reynolds, engineer. Dockside and Steve were the magical combination that worked with Irma Thomas and her Grammy winning After the Rain.
Blue Merlot is a vintage sure to please. Serve a glass or two at your venue soon.
*LBC judges were: Zydeco artist Terrance Simien, Raul Breaux (KRVS’ “Blues Box”), Phil Daigle (KBON) and music historian Marc Bacon.

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 2/9/2007
Band Website: BlueMerlot.com
Band Members: Brenda Lowry, Joshua Murrell, Louis "Buddy" Romero, Gerald Romero, Sr.
Influences: Prof. Longhair, Bonnie Raitt, Sonny Landreth, Candye Kane, Saffire, ZZ Top, Bessie Smith, Etta James, Ida Cox, Marcia Ball, Aretha Franklin, Annie Haslam, Rory Block, Dr. John
We love and play Luna Guitars, and love and use Presonus Audio's Firestudio! Check out the links in our Friends.
We'd like to invite our friends to visit the website of the Mark Graham Foundation. The foundation honors the memory of Mark Graham, a fallen American soldier, and supports scholarships in Mark's honor, as well as support facilities which provide services to injured soldiers.

Sounds Like: Prof. Longhair meets ZZ Top... Marcia Ball, Susan Tedeschi, Bonnie Raitt, Dr. John
SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC! If you like what you hear, or want to hear more of the CD, visit our CD Baby page - this link will take you there, where you can hear more and learn more about our debut CD, Blue Merlot:
..CDBABY LINK for BLUE MERLOT: Blue Merlot --
Record Label: Ile aux Cannes
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Blue Merlot voted Best Jazz Band in Acadiana in Times 2008 poll!

Each year, the Times of Acadiana has a "Best of...." poll. Readers are invited to vote for their favorites in a number of categories. There is a nomination period, and then a voting period. No vote...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 10:40:00 PST

Blue Merlot’s Joshua Murrell nominee for Memphis Grammy Board of Governors

Go, Bubba!Blue Merlot's Joshua "Bubba" Murrell is nominated for the Memphis Chapter of NARAS' Board of Governors.  Recording Academy members should have gotten their ballots recently, and they ar...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Wed, 14 May 2008 06:31:00 PST

Times of Acadiana’s "Best of 2008" - Please vote!

Whooeee!  Blue Merlot is a finalist in the Times of Acadiana's "Best of 2008" in the category Best Jazz Band!!We'd really appreciate your vote!  Here's how:Go to www.timesofacadiana.comClick...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Mon, 05 May 2008 04:52:00 PST

March 30th - Louisiana musicians coming out of the woodwork!

This SUNDAY, March 30th, from 1 PM til 7 PM......Come by MUSIC VISION on Jefferson Terrace in New Iberia for their SECOND ANNUAL MUSICIAN / FAN APPRECIATION DAY!!Music Vision is a locally owned and op...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Sat, 29 Mar 2008 09:04:00 PST

Blue Merlots Joshua Murrell - engineered Grammy award winning CD!

Blue Merlot's Joshua "Bubba" Murrell: Engineer/Producer in Grammy WinWhen Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience won the first Best Zydeco or Cajun Album Grammy award, there were others from Louisi...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Fri, 22 Feb 2008 06:51:00 PST

Louisiana Music, Zydeco/Cajun Grammy

It's a problem.On one hand, it's a nice problem to have. A tie in the votes led to not five, but six great Louisiana music acts being under consideration for the very first Zydeco / Cajun Album catego...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Tue, 11 Dec 2007 07:33:00 PST

Concert in great historic site...

You may have noticed we don't usually post our calendar, but rather invite people to be on our email list.  It just makes life easier that way! However, we do want to spread the word about an upc...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:43:00 PST

Luna Guitar Artist Endorser!

Luna Guitars Executive Director Yvonne de Villiers recently named Acadiana musician Brenda DeKeyzer Lowry a Luna Guitars artist endorser. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, Luna Guitars is a woman-led ...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Sat, 23 Jun 2007 11:23:00 PST

What IS this blue tarp thing, anyway?

Whoa!  I figured out how to do a background picture.  Of course, it had to be a blue tarp; that's also the background of the CD cover...and the fringe around our photo.  Reason is...th...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Sat, 24 Feb 2007 03:44:00 PST

Wall of Water Video...images of Rita and Katrina in south La.

Take a look at our Wall of Water video.  You will find it by clicking on the "view my Videos" link on our profile page, right above the "contact Blue Merlot" block. It's a music video with no ban...
Posted by Blue Merlot on Fri, 16 Feb 2007 12:50:00 PST