Mick Kolassa – Blue to the Bone

Mick Kolassa – Blue to the Bone

New album releases March 24, 2026

CHECK IT OUT – LISTEN / STREAM IT / BUY IT!

Mick has been turning out blues records for several years–and with each one he’s learned a little more about what to do and what not to do. During that time his life has also presented him with many challenges – and opportunities. Drawing on that, Mick has come up with this one, flavored with personal tragedy and triumph, with dashes of humor and pain – that’s kind of what Mick does!  The album title, Blue To The Bone, is what Blues Blast Magazine said about him. 

For this album Mick assembled his favorite team of musicians, beginning with producer and guitarist Jeff Jensen, teamed with a solid group of Memphis based musicians: James Cunningham, Bill Ruffino, Rick Steff, Tom Lonardo, Carl Casperson, Eric Hughes, Marc Franklin and Kirk Smothers. Joining them was harmonica ace Bob Corritore on a very special song.

The album opens with “This Getting Old is Getting Old,” Mick’s song about the misery of aging, followed by “Bourbon and You,” which deals with missing a lover. Mick’s love of blues poured itself into the next song, “All it Takes is Blues.’

“For Better or For Worse” is Mick’s song that follows up on his most played song (literally millions of streams) “Baby’s Got Another Lover,” which Mick wrote about his wife’s addiction to alcohol, this new song covers the final few months of her life – it isn’t intended to make you smile.

With “Something to Look Forward To” Mick returns to the subject of aging and continues with that theme in the song “I’d Like To Be Recycled. The humor of this tune is followed by the humor of Mick’s versions of an obscure country song “If My Nose Was Running Money” 

Mick re-imagined his previously released song “Mr. Right” as well as the classic Merle Travis song “16 Tons.”  The album closes with Mick’s “Please Don’t Write That Song,” which kind of speaks for itself!

Sunny Bleau & The Moons join Endless Blues Records

Endless Blues Records is excited to announce that Sunny Bleau and The Moons will be joining our label with their soon to be recorded 4th album Passion and Regrets.

The Album will be recorded at High/Low Studios in Memphis, TN and produced by Mick Kolassa, head of Endless Blues Records.

“I’ve had a chance to see Sunny and the band play a few times in Memphis and her vocals and presence really impressed me” states Kolassa.  “After hearing some demos of the their new songs, I contacted Nic and suggested that we team up to make and release a great album together.”

The album will be released on the Endless Blues Records label.

The band is raising money through Indiegogo to help back this
project. If you would like to contribute, please GO HERE!

sunnybleau.com

Mick Kolassa – All Kinds of Blues

Mick Kolassa – All Kinds of Blues

New album releases July 26, 2024

Mick Kolassa has been a blues fan most of his life – all kinds of blues. His previous albums have all contained a few subgenres of blues, but in this album, his 15th blues, he wanted to include as many as he could – the result is the aptly named ALL KINDS OF BLUES.

The album opens with Thank You Memphis, which reflects not only that special Memphis Sound, but Mick’s appreciation for the place he has called home for the past few years. WHERE LOVE TAKES ME is a blues song in the tradition of Mississippi Electric Blues style, Dexter Allen’s guitar work on this track is special! DID YOU EVER WONDER is a New Orleans Style rhumba co-written by Mick and Doug MacLeod, who joins Mick on vocals. The Blues Rocker TOO OLD TO DIE YOUNG is Mick coming to terms with his latest birthday! HAPPY ENDINGS is one of Mick’s slow, minor key blues songs, but done in a jazz style, again with Dexter Allen on guitar.

To be sure he covered as many styles as possible, Mick penned his first song about AI love, AMY IODINE. The band decided that this song is the first of a new subgenre: Post-Contemporary Acid Blues. Hang on, it’s different! YOU BUMPED ME AGAIN is a very funky song about repeated rejection, while DOES YOUR MAMA KNOW is a blues love song almost Rockabilly. EATING MY SOUL is a dark and brooding slow minor key blues.

CAN’T SING NO BLUES TONIGHT is an acoustic blues tune, drawing heavily from old Delta Blues, that tells the story of a very sad experience for a fictional musician. THAT DON’T MEAN is a Chicago Blues style protest song and BAD DECISION, co-written by Mick and Eric Hughes is a country blues tune about a lonely man in a bar – with an interesting idea. The album closes with A YANKEE HEADING HOME, an Americana song explaining Mick’s decision to move back to Michigan after living in and around Memphis for over three decades.

This album, produced by Jeff Jensen, is Mick’s 15th blues album. It displays and celebrates Mick’s love of the world of blues – in all its styles and all of its glory!

Mick Kolassa – Wooden Music

Mick Kolassa – Wooden Music

In doing this album Mick wanted to really craft the songs, not just play them. We knew from the beginning that this would be another totally acoustic album, by choosing to restrict ourselves to just acoustic instruments it drove a cool creativity. We wanted to really show that an acoustic album can sound as big and full as one using the typical electric instruments – being acoustic doesn’t mean that it has to be sparse (not that there’s anything wrong with that).

Mick is blessed with amazing musical friends, and many joined him on this album. Of course, Jeff Jensen came onboard, both as producer and as principal guitarist. Tom Lonardo and Carl Casperson, who added their magic to “They Call Me Uncle Mick” provided a rock-solid rhythm section that held it all together. Doug MacLeod also brought his special magic to the two songs that open the album and, of course, Eric Hughes was a critical par of the team. Eric is the only musician (other than Mick) who has played on every one of Mick’s albums – it wouldn’t be a Mick album without Eric!

This album also highlights the skills of two other harp players, and they really delivered! Bob Corritore and Mick had often talked about working together and this album provided the opportunity. You’ll see that Bob really delivered. The other harp player is Vince Johnson, who isn’t widely known outside of Beale Street but sure needs to be – and you’ll agree when you hear what he did.

Tas Cru and Mick have worked together often, and Tas provides a beautiful guitar part to the song Memphis Wood. Tas has the ability to put himself inside the song and work to make it better, and he di just that! Another longtime friend, Libby Rae Watson, was the ONLY person Mick wanted to join him on the vocals for the song “Baby Took A Limo to Memphis” – not just because of her vocal talent (which is wonderful) but her attitude, which fit the song perfectly, as you will see.

The remaining guests have worked with Mick on several projects, and have always made things better. Reba Russell and Susan Marshall are well known and respected in the music world, and if you don’t know who they are you really need to check them out! What they brought to the song “Hurt People Hurt People” is simply stunning.

Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones – Groovin’ at Groove Now!

Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones – Groovin’ at Groove Now!

Groovin’ at Groove Now, the dynamic and energetic performance by Doug Deming & the Jewel Tones, captured and recorded live at Atlantis Basel for the Groove Now concert series in Basel, Switzerland, is the live recording longtime fans of the band have been waiting for.

Running the gamut from traditional blues to swing and jazz, the nearly one-hour set includes eight original tunes, and three tributes to blues giants like Willie Dixon, Little Walter and Fats Domino.

Historically a quartet, the current Jewel Tones configuration is pared down to a trio consisting of Doug Deming on vocals and guitar, young veteran and longtime bandmate Andrew Gohman on upright and Fender bass, and newest member Zack Pomerleau on drums and harmonica, simultaneously. For the Groove Now concert, the trio was joined by fantastic, award winning saxophonists Terry Hanck and Sax Gordon, as well as renowned keyboardist Bill Heid.

Doug Deming and band display the depth and musicianship of a group honed to a level of sophistication borne from their utter love and respect for the blues genre, and it broadcasts loud and clear. With the addition of unrehearsed special guests for this performance, Groovin’ at Groove Now captures a night of incredible chemistry and spontaneity between a host of exceptional artists, and affirms Deming as a formidable bandleader.

For the Feral Heart

Mick Kolassa – For The Feral Heart

CHECK IT OUT – listen / stream it / buy it!

December 2022 Release

Over the course of 12 previous albums Mick Kolassa has written and recorded many love songs – this album is NOTHING BUT LOVE SONGS! For the Feral Heart starts with blues but ventures into several other styles, taking the listener on a musical journey. For the Feral Heart includes blues, jazz, calypso, reggae, singer/songwriter and even America standards. With ten originals and two “covers”, the album traverses a lot of musical ground!

Kicking off with the blues-rocker “Running to You,” the album hits the ground running! “Elegant Angel,” a song celebrating a strong woman, is a blues/jazz number that features Memphis guitarist Mario Monterosso. Mick has re-arranged Dave Mason’s “Feeling Alright,” which is actually a song about a divorce, to take it back to the message of the lyrics – something it seems few fans have ever truly listened to– and Mick and Jeff Jensen enjoyed trading guitar licks on this song. “Love Ain’t Supposed to Make You Cry” is one of Mick’s trademark slow minor key blues songs, with Mario Monterosso adding his splendid guitar work. “Easy to Love,” a jazzy blues number about how difficult love can be to maintain, is followed by “I Keep Looking,” a more acoustic number that tells the uncomplicated story of a deep love that has no reason to end – ever.

The ballad “I Left My Heart in Birmingham” tells of the problems of a long-distance love affair with a slightly country feel, and “Love in My Size” is a singer-songwriter tune about an unexpected love. “Forever Sometimes” is a reggae song that celebrates an occasional love affair while the calypso tune “Hold On” tells of a deep commitment between two lovers who are going to stay with each other and get through any troubles. “Run Away With Me” is a gentle song about wishes that may not come true. Wrapping up the album is the wonderful old standard, “As Time Goes By” – and you are urged to play it again!

They Call Me Uncle Mick!

Mick Kolassa – They Call Me Uncle Mick!

CHECK IT OUT – listen / stream it / buy it!

August, 2022 Release

With this album Mick Kolassa has once again returned to his acoustic roots. No amplified instruments were used on any track, making this album purely acoustic. Once again working with producing partner Jeff Jensen, they have assembled a true Free Range Blues experience! Opening with Bo Carter’s 1931 gem “My Pencil Won’t Write No More” Mick let’s everyone know that this album is about fun! The second track is a remake of Mick’s song “Wasted Youth”, this acoustic version features the one and only Bobby Rush on harmonica. The great John Prine’s “Daddy’s Little Pumpkin” is next, followed by Mick’s “Used to Be” which features Doug McLeod on guitar.

Continuing Mick’s hobby of “uncovering” songs that fit well into a blues form, Hank William’s “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” is presented in a very different way. Doug McLeod also played on Mick’s original “My Woman She’s So Mean” – a song about a very troubled and troubling lady. Next, he is joined by the one and only Watermelon Slim as they celebrate a very bluesy version of Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock” – a song they’ve played together often.

Mick’s song “Why?” asks a critical question of an overly critical friend. The old standard “Sunny Side of the Street” lightens the mood, and the lightness continues with Mick’s song “Bless His Heart” – which is build around the classic southern put down. The album closes with Mick’s homage to cheese – of all kinds.

Mick Kolassa – I’m Just Getting Started!

Mick Kolassa – I’m Just Getting Started!

CHECK IT OUT – listen / stream it / buy it!

July 15, 2022 Release

With his 11th album Mick Kolassa declares, I’m Just Getting Started, and what a start. Roaming through his “Free Range Blues” Mick serves up several subgenres of blues. Working again with producer Jeff Jensen, they have assembled a cadre of seasoned musicians to bring you a selections of ear opening tunes. Opening with the title track, “I’m Just Getting Started”, Mick declares that he’s got moves ain’t nobody seen yet. In the second track Mick steps away from the classic blues and brings you a Soul blues tune called “What Can I Do?” that features some stellar lead guitar work by Dexter Allen, who also played bass on ten of the tracks on this album.

Mick then asks listeners to dream “Bigger Dreams” and not give up on the ones they have. Mick and the band move in the direction of jazz with their cover of “Alibis and Lies”, a song about modern day Beale Street originally done by Chainsaw Dupont. Joining Mick on his version of the Taj Mahal classic “Leaving Truck” is Brandon Santini – this is the first song Mick and Brandon ever played together, many years ago, and they bring it with a new and funky groove. Brandon also joined Mick in presenting their take on the John Hiatt tune “Real Man”. The other cover on this album is a very bluesy/roots gospel take on the Pacific Gas and Electric rock classic “Are You Ready”.

The love songs “That Kind of Man” and “Take Me Away” are presented with a mixture of Soul and blues rock, while “Trying Not to Let the Darkness In” is one of Mick’s classic minor key slow blues songs. Closing out this new album are “Hard Hearted Woman”, a tune about a lady who should be avoided, to say the least, and “How Much Can I Pay You?” a comical song about a patron at a club who gets more than a little carried away with her celebrating.

All combined, these songs represent an expansion of the Free Range Blues Mick is noted for, and he’s just getting started!

Eric Hughes – Echo Hills

Eric’s acoustic album, recorded in Germany in 2019 with Blind Lemon Records is full of warm, rich acoustic versions of songs from Eric’s repertoire.

Available on Spotify, iTunes, and Eric’s website!

Uncle Mick’s Christmas Album – Order Now!

Uncle Mick’s Christmas Album – Order Now!

October 15, 2021 Release

This Christmas album was recorded in the 95-degree heat of a Memphis summer, we thought it would be cool. The album is 100% Memphis, every musician, engineer, technician, and guest call Memphis home. Once again Mick Kolassa teamed up with Jeff Jensen to produce a fun-filled and unique album. Combining some originals with Christmas classics the band put a Memphis spin on everything. Trust us, this ain’t your daddy’s jingle bells!

The album opens with Mick’s take on Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You”. It is delivered in a very Memphis bluesified fashion. Then the band took “Frosty the Snowman” right down Beale Street in a Second Line kind of way. Mick’s original “The Best Christmas Ever” is a fun and funky love song about a very special Christmas present.

The blues classic “Merry Christmas Baby” is followed by a VERY different take on the previously unbluesy “Jingle Bells” – the band brought this song to Memphis in a big way! “Winter Wonderland”, which provides some lightness to the mix, is followed by “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas”, delivered with an R&B feeling and featuring Rick Steff on multiple key instruments – including a Mellotron.

Mick’s blues rocker “Christmas Morning Blues” is a story of a Christmas that fell victim to a classic blues problem. The album closes with the band’s “Beale Street Christmas Jam”, in which the musicians each take a shot at fitting a classic Christmas song into a 12-bar 1-4-5 shuffle. All in all, we hope this album is as much fun to listen to as it was to produce!