Sunday,
July 16th, 2006
Woodstock Square
12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

JW Rice (Open Stage Mike at 1 pm) - JW Rice, born and raised in Woodstock, Illinois, is a self-taught guitarist. He founded the JW Rice Band, fashioned after Dan Hicks and the Hot Licks, in 1972. The band opened for many acts including Asleep at the Wheel, Vassar Clements, John Hammond, Jr., and Pinetop Perkins. When the original JW Rice Band dispersed in 1981, JW started a love affair with the blues. Meeting and talking to the great Muddy Waters was a turning point in his musical life. He began learning Muddy’s style of blues music that covered the traditional Delta blues with country blues thrown in.

JW has made a commitment to being a versatile artist. He plays acoustic and electric and loves all styles of music, from Delta slide, Piedmont, folk, country, western, country swing, to even reggae. The JW Rice Band has re-formed since 1990, but JW also performs solo and with Carrie Biel Lacy as an acoustic duo.

JW Rice can be reached by calling either 815 337-5803 or 815 210-5631, or by sending him an e-mail.