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*Rip Cat Recording Artist John Clifton

* Easttop Harmonicas Endorsement Artist

*Received 2019 Central Valley Blues Music Award


*Performing over 150 dates a year throughout the U.S., Europe, and beyond.
 
* Rip Cat Records Release "Nightlife" Named #72 Top 200 Contemporary Blues Albums for 2018 By Roots Music Report.
 
*Appeared 5 times as a featured artist on Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blowout 

*Toured and recorded with Big Bill Morganfield (Blues Hall of Fame member and son of Muddy Waters).

*Headlined and performed on major Blues Festivals in the U.S., Europe, Fiji, and New Zealand, including California’s largest and most prestigious Blues Fest in Doheny and The Orange Blossom Blues and Grooves Fest. in Florida.

*Song "Anytime Is Cool" was featured in the 2017 motion picture "Shattered". John and Band was also made an appearance in the movie.

•Produced “Best Blues Album 2013” Polish Blues Awards (Boogie Boys “Made In Cali”)

  • Album "Nightlife" Debut #11 On Living Blues Magazine Top 25 Album Chart
  • Song "Still A Fool Featured on Sirus XM BB King's Bluesville Top 15 Rack of Blues 
  • Album Nightlife spent 21 weeks on Roots Music Report Top 50 Contemporary Blues Radio Chart
*Winner  of and multiple nominee for the Modesto Area Music Awards and recipient of the "Declaration of Appreciation" from the State of California supporting the arts.
 
As a co-founder (w/ brother Bill Clifton) of Fresno's The MoFo Party Band, John Clifton has solidified himself as one of Central California's most in demand Blues frontmen since he started in the late '80's.  His from the gut vocal and harmonica presence and high energy performances have captivated audiences worldwide.
 
Hitting the road hard since the early days and performing over 150 dates a year, John regularly tours in the U.S. and has headlined some of the most well known venues and festivals throughout Europe such as the Beersel Blues Festival in Belgium, and the Blues Express and Polish Boogie Festivals, both in Poland.  He has also electrified audiences on festivals and in venues throughout the islands of New Zealand and Fiji!  
 
IN 2016, The John Clifton Blues Band performed on the Doheny Blues Festival, California's largest and most prestigious festivals, with Edgar Winter and Lynyrd Skynyrd headlining.  He also injected a shot of adrenaline to the acclaimed Edition de Bain de Blues Festival in France.
 
With style and prowess on the level of Kim Wilson and Rod Piazza, John has always kept it real with his own voice and identity and never set out to be a copy of any of his musical heroes. As a showman he delivers straight from the heart, soul, and gut, staying clear of the typical clichés and novelties. 
 
He also keeps things fresh and exciting by effortlessly infusing styles from West Coast to Chicago Blues, classic R&B and Soul, to some hard driving vintage Rock'n'Roll.
 
John's reputation and performances have earned him the respect of many of the greats as he has been invited on stage with the likes of James Cotton, Rod Piazza, Tommy Castro, John Mayall, Huey Lewis, Willie Big Eyes Smith, Luther Tucker, Kim Wilson, Billy Boy Arnold, James Harman, and Rusty Zinn.  He was also given the honor of opening for BB King, winning and being a multiple nominee for the Modesto Area Music Awards, and receiving the "Declaration of Appreciation" from the State of California for his contribution to the arts.
 
John has performed  as a featured harmonica player 7 times and the prestigious Mark Hummel's Blues Harmonica Blow out show and has been ask to join in as a guest on many occasions with Mark Hummel and many other of the top blues harmonica players in the world.
 
In addition, John was asked to tour and record as the featured harmonica player with Big Bill Morganfield, Blues Hall of Fame inductee and son of Muddy Waters, on his 2016 release "Blood Stains On The Wall".  
 
He has also brought his skills as a producer to the studio with a band from Poland called The Boogie Boys, featuring piano giant Bartek Szopinski, and winning the Polish Blues Award for “Best Blues Album 2013” for their CD “Made In Cali”.
 
Producer David Z best known for his work with Prince, Etta James, Billy Idol and many others, chose John's song "Anytime Is Cool" for the 2017 motion picture release "Shattered" John and Band were also asked to appear in the movie and were featured in the first scene.
 
John captured the attention of Scott Abeyta, owner of Rip Cat Records in Southern California, and was added to a roster that included The Blasters, the 44's, and Kid Ramos among many other great names.  He released his first solo album "Let Yourself Go" in 2015 to worldwide acclaim and airplay, and the single "Let Your Self Go" charted in the Top 10 on the Duke University WXDU Americana Show.  
 
The album boasts guest performances by Kid Ramos, Rusty Zinn, brother Bill Clifton, Bartek Szopinski, Marty Dodson, and Bob Welsh.  Scott Abeyta holds down the main guitar duties, and fellow Fresno music icons Roger Perry, Jake Finney, and John Shafer are also featured.
 
The 2018 release on Rip Cat Records "Nightlife"  .received critical acclaim and  great reviews. The song "Still A Fool" from Nightlife was the #10 of the top new releases on Top 15 Rack of Blues Radio show on BB Kings Bluesville on Sirus XM Radio, Nightlife Spent 6 Months in the Roots Music Report Top 25 Contemporary Blues Albums and finished #72 For 2018 on The Top 200 Roots Music Report Contemporary Blues Chart..
 
2019 brings yet another CD release from Rip Cat Records "In The Middle Of Nowhere" Is John's 3rd CD release on Rip Cat It features 5 new original songs plus 6 obscure hard hitting covers. The album is already receiving positive reviews and radio airplay world wide. Extensive touring of the USA is already in the works for the new CD.
 
John Clifton...one of those rare musicians that has dedicated himself to the Blues and has found continued success and relevance by remaining dedicated, excited, hardworking, and focused.  
 

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