Walter Trout's 20th album is called Common Ground, but for the visionary roots singer, songwriter and guitarist that's more than a title.

It's where Trout's compelling music resides — in a territory that unites the worlds of blues, rock and pure sonic adventurism, where inspiration and technique meet to create a unique, soulful language. In a sense, the title also describes Trout's personal geography. Although he lives in California, he spends much of his life on the road bridging the U.S and Europe, where he's so well-known and respected that the United Kingdom's BBC Radio One placed the Stratocaster master at number six on their list of the Top 20 guitarists of all time. Legendary BBC disc jockey, Bob Harris, in his book "The Whispering Years" calls Trout: "The world's greatest rock guitarist." (p. 186)

But the title track of Trout's new release is also a prayer. "If there's a place where the truth can still be found,' he sings, "Lord, lead us to the common ground."

"I am blown away by the polarization and cruelty in the world today," Trout explains. "It goes beyond my understanding. I wrote the lyrics to that song as an attempt to come to terms with that, and as a wish that somehow — regardless of our faiths and nationalities and politics — we can find a place where truth and compassion can take us beyond our differences."

Trout's soaring warm guitar matches the plainspoken tenderness of the lyrics of Common Ground for a performance that sounds truly inspired, especially in the song's concluding solo where Trout makes his six-string speak with the eloquence of a traveling tent revival preacher.

"I am a spiritual guy," Trout offers. "I believe in a higher power as a force in the world and that playing music can be a religious experience. Music gives you an opportunity to speak directly to people's hearts — it goes beyond words. And I know that there are times when I'm playing my guitar when I enter a state where I'm not consciously aware of what I'm playing. It's like a signal coming through me."

Trout enjoyed a more earthy kind of inspiration while making Common Ground, thanks to his supporting cast of drum great Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp, John Fogerty, Elton John, etc.), bassist Hutch Hutchinson and pianist Jon Cleary (both of Bonnie Raitt's band), and famed producer John Porter, whose credits span from Brit-pop legends the Smiths to John Lee Hooker and B.B. King to Santana.

Website 21+ Tickets

Call For Table Reservations

Chris Duarte, a San Antonio native was born in February of 1963, the same year as his Strat. His goal, to be a successful musician and write music for all the world to hear. His choice instrument, the guitar and at the age of 15 his career of being a musician began. At the tender age of sixteen he dropped out of high school and moved to Austin, Texas to further develop his musical career. Several years later, Chris met a man by the name of John Jordan who would become Chris' best friend and co-founder of the Chris Duarte Group. John, like Chris was born with music in his blood. Although John's first instrument was piano, he would become the bass guitarist for the Chris Duarte Group. Together they would travel to over 300 dates on average per year for over 15 years straight. It was then that Mr. Jordan departed from the group to pursue a solo career and to open his own Record company called Tana Records. The band still continues to play well over 200 nights a year in every state and many countries abroad. Collectively, the Chris Duarte Group has realeased a total of four albums. Texas Sugar Strat Magic (1994), Tailspin Headwhack (1997), Love is Greater then Me (2000) and Romp (2004). the band is due to hit the studio in December of 2006 for release number 5 from the Chris Duarte Group. Now based out of Atlanta, GA. Chris is backed by Joseph Patrick Moore on Bass and Jeff Reilly on Drums. Get ready to have your face rocked off! Chris Duarte has been known to play guitar till his fingers bleed.

Website 21+ Tickets Call For Table Reservations

Website 21+ Tickets

MAURICE RAYFORD, a professional entertainer performs as a solo artist and group member with equal aplomb, with song styles ranging from jazz to gospel, sings lead and back-up vocals with a range from 1st tenor to baritone. Current singles "Loved and Let Down", TAM Records", Raw Cuts compilation CD , Rodell Records, featuring the single "Doing It To The MAX".

BERNARD MIXON, singer/actor, member of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians , studied acting at Second City in Chicago. Bernard has performed in a wide variety of dramatic contexts, including commercials, feature films, television, drama and the stage, and is an exciting song stylist/balladeer with a vocal range from 2nd tenor to bass. He has performed around the country and abroad.CLIFFORD T. FRAZIER, a singer/actor/writer Master Storyteller, publibshed poet (The National Library of Poetry), a graphic artist (Designer of Mood Logo), was nominated for his performance of "The King" in the Black Ensemble Theatre production of "The Other Cinderella", studied voice at the Chicago Conservatory of Music, and has performed nationally and abroad as both a vocalist and actor in feature film, radio and T.V.

OLLIE BOLDS, a native of Oakland , California, has performed lead and back-up vocals on stage and in the studio working with such greats as Aretha Franklin,Whitney Houston, The Whispers and Bobby Brown. With a vocal range from 1st tenor to bass, Ollie is also known for his flashy choreography and vocal arrangements.