For the second year in a row, there’s a Wyoming connection at the Grammy Awards. Last year, it was bluegrass band Della Mae, whose bassist is from Laramie. This year, it’s Laramie-based blues band Blinddog Smokin’. The band was formed more than two decades ago and has logged over a million miles on the road. Band leader Carl Gustafson says the Grammy nomination is already opening doors.
“We started noticing things immediately,” he says. “Like, we were having a lot of agency problems. Well, as soon we got the Grammy nomination, we got called by a New York booking agency and we signed a good contract almost immediately.”
The band’s 2014 release Decisions is up for Best Blues Album. It features Blinddog Smokin’ with Louisianna blues singer Bobby Rush, and the album opener is the first time Rush and fellow Louisianna legend Dr. John have been recorded together.
Credit for the historic collaboration goes to Gustafson, who wrote the song and founded Blinddog Smokin’. He says the sounds of New Orleans are among his original inspirations. “You know, I was always fascinated with the music down there. And now, to have Dr. John on our CD is a dream come true.”
The Grammy nomination has also led to awards nominations in New Orleans and Memphis. The Grammy Awards ceremony will be February 8 in Los Angeles.