Scott Ramminger's Debut CD, Crawstickers

·      Very positive reviews of my CD “Crawstickers” (released summer 2011) from a wide range of publications -- inccluding the March 2012 Downbeat magazine, which gave the disc three stars.  (See below for reviews.)

·      Significant airplay on more 60 U.S., over-the-air radio stations including stations in major markets such as Washington DC, Boston,  San Francisco, Atlanta,  Houston,  Dallas,  and Memphis –- along with over 20 international over-the-air radio stations and many Internet radio stations.  (See section after the reviews for a list.)

·      "There Must be Something Wrong With You," off the CD took the Silver Award in the Blues/Jazz category of the 2011 Mid Atlantic Songwriting Contest.  Two other songs were Finalists in that category and one more received an Honorable Mention. Three songs off the CD,  "Real Fine Gumbo," "Crawstickers," and "Three Dollar Beer," were semi-finalists in the international UK Songwriting Contest. Each got a score of 8, which, according to the contest organizers, means they were among the top 8 percent of the 6000 songs submitted, and “among the top songs in the contest.”

·      Number 3 on the Airplay Direct (a digital download service for radio stations) Monthly  top Blues Chart in August, 2011 and number 4 in September, 2011 against many major label releases.

·      Selected as an “Artist of The Week” by The Alternate Root Magazine for the week of July 22, 2011, sharing the honor with internationally renowned song writer/performer Paul Brady.

Reviews

"Three Stars (***) "Ramminger brings honest wit to entertaining original songs, mainly about domestic squabbles...  Some of the leading roots musicians in the Mid-Atlantic area help him out."
-- Downbeat Magazine,  March 2012

"What a treat this album is.  Instead of a guitar based format, Scott Ramminger, singer/songwriter and bandleader is a saxophonist, playing tenor, baritone, and alto sax throughout.   And what a joy to hear Ramminger strutting his stuff through 11 original songs that  veer from slow blues, boogie woogie, and shuffle to the Mardi Gras groove of 'Real Fine Gumbo.'"
-- Blues Matters Magazine, March 2012

This is seriously entertaining music here with plenty of substance in the performances.  Mix together strong original material with a first-rate band and a terrific singer saxophonist, the result is the "Real Fine Gumbo" of Scott Ramminger's Crawstickers.
-- Ron Weinstock,  In a Blue Mood

“Scott Ramminger takes off with a bang in the title track for 'Crawstickers'. The fuse lit, the band produces a beat driven boogie with sax, organ and piano feeding the fire riff by riff . . . Scott steers with a firm hand, owning microphone bragging rights with low slung delivery that fits the Dixie mix of blues, soul and roots rock with which the band testifies.”  
-- The Alternate Root Magazine

"This excellent CD explores a number of different musical directions, but in the all songs you hear that the blues had a strong influence on the music of Ramminger.   . . .My conclusion is clear: I have enjoyed this cd very much.  So go ahead and buy it!"
-- Rootstime Magazine

“Ramminger puts a modern twist on Southern influenced textures emblematic of Robert Cray and John Lee Hooker as he invites audiences to be a part of the music.. . .  A hearty dose of Americana-driven melodies that leave the audience wanting more.
-- Yahoo Entertainment

"Nearly all 11 orignial songs have toes tapping within seconds."
-- CelebrityCafe.com

"If you’re looking for some great blues with jazz and soul (and many more) influences, well Crawstickers from Scott Ramminger is for you. This is an excellent production with a great support from some very talented musicians."

-- CKUT, 90.3FM Montreal, Quebec

“As I listen to the straight-ahead juke-joint jumpin’ of the opener (& title track), "Crawstickers," I’m particularly impressed… think Elvin Bishop, think Leon Russell, then toss in a dose of total originality by Scott & you’ll have a pretty good idea!  …he’s equally at home on his saxophone with “upbeat & jazzy.” as on "Give a Pencil to a Fish," too (for some reason, I’m reminded of Catfish Hodge on this one)! . . .I give Scott & crew a MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for listeners who HAVE to have a dose of honky-tonk jazz in their daily musical mix.  He gets an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.98, right at the top of the scale.          
– ImprovNation Magazine Issue 113

"A splendid mélange of rootsy rock, country, blues and R&B… The eleven tracks all have a strong bluesy sheen and a groove that will appeal to fans of Stevie Ray Vaughan, early Fleetwood Mac {Peter Green era], and Jerry Jeff Walker. The sound is big and beefy.  All eleven tracks are written by Mr Ramminger, some co-written with members of the band.  I can't think of any tracks that are poor quality.   I really loved this album, it's rootsy attitude - blues one moment and Tex-Mex the next. . .  . Mr Ramminger and his band can rock and wail with the best of them, and thanks to the original songs they have their own unique sound. Highly recommended!"

“SCOTT RAMMINGER/Crawstickers:  Ramminger is party animal that knows how to get the party started, high octane Americana/roots style.  …Just the thing you need when the prescription calls for a blues/rock/r&b/N’awlins  rocker that knows the moves and the grooves.  Well done.”

-- Midwest Record Review

"I love “Crawstickers” and have had a lot of fun with this CD!"

~B. Pickard, KCOR Springfield, MO

"Singer/songwriter/saxophonist Scott Ramminger defines ‘crawstickers’ as "things that stick in someone's mind" and that is a perfect way to define the music on this album, eleven originals songs that range from rock, funk, blues, jazz, country, gospel and even Latin."

"The lyrics are fun and witty starting with the title track. . ."

 
U.S. Airplay

WPFW, Washington, DC; KPOO 89.5, San Francisco;  WRFG, Atlanta; WUMB/WBPR/WFPB, Boston; KNON, Dallas;  KPFT, Houston; WYEP. 91.3, WEVL, Memphis; KYEP. Pittsburgh;  KXUP 91.5, San Jose; KTUH, Honolulu, HI; KXCI, Tuscon; KCOR, Kansas City;;  WMNF, 89.5, Tampa, FL;  KINK, Portland, OR; KSYM, San Antonio;  KNXO, Oklahoma City;  WRTB, Rockford IL; KMUW, Witchita, KS;  WHFR, Dearborn, MI;  KBRZ, Springfield, MO; WGMC, Rochester, NY;  KTEP, El Passo, TX;  WRTB, Rockford, IL; KPON, Columbia, MO;  WDVX, KBOO 90.7, Portland, OR;  Knoxville, TN;  WUTK, Knoxville, TN; WQLN, Erie, PA;  KAOS, Olympia, Washington; KEGR, Carson City, NM;  KZFR, Chico, CA; KROS, Clinton, Iowa; WDVR, Sergentsville, NJ;  WGLT, Normal, IL; WUEV 91.5 FM, Chandler, IN;  WALW, Moulton, AL; KMSU, Mankato, Minnesota;  WNCU, Culowhee, NC; WMEB, Orono, Maine; WQSU, Susquehanna, PA; WRHC, KHUM, Eureka, CA;  WHRC, 106.7; Three Oaks, MI;  105.9;  WTMD 89.7, Towson, MD; WCTB, Skowhegan, ME; WRPI, Troy NY; WQSU, Hughsville, PA; KHID/KMBH, Harlingen, TX; KZMU, Moab, UT; WTJU, Charlottesville, VA;  WTRG, Weldon, NC; KYIE 88.7; Kamish, ID; WRHC 106.7, Harbor Oaks, MI. WHUS, Storrs, CT.

International Airplay

CKRL, Québec, Canada; CKUT, Montreal, Canada; WHOB, Ottowa, Canada;   CKHA, Haliburton, Ontario, Canada; WVGN,St. Thomas, Virgin Islands;  96.3, Brighton, England; EVER 95.1,  Sao Jose’, Brazil; STAR FM, St. Helens, Tasmania;  VFM Radio, 91.6, Vinkovici, Croatia.  Seahaven, 96.3 FM, Brighton, England; ALEX 96.5, Goolwa, South Australia; RADI 109.9, Straume, Norway; GTFM 107.9, UK; 7LTN, Lauceston, Tasmania, Australia; SCST 88.7, Glandore, SA Australia; TERN 94.4. The Netherlands; 4FCR 107.5 FM, Hervey Bay, Queesland, Australia; VERY 100, Taranto, Italy; 5GTR 100.1, 100.1 Mount Gambler, South Australia.