bio
"Roger has been described as a 'One-man wrecking crew with all the technical dexterity and soul of a Delta Blues Virtuoso.'"
Legendary Chicago Blues-Rock Artist
-Roger Connelly-
Chicago Blues Rocker Roger "The Rooster" Connelly and his legendary band The Blues Merchants have been recording and touring for over 20 years. Over the years Roger has performed or shared the bill with such greats as; Buddy Guy, Jonny Lang, Debbie Davies, Honeyboy Edwards, Taj Mahal, Kenny Wayne Shepperd, Tommy Castro, Robbin Ford, Robert Jr. Lockwood, Edgar Winter, Alex Ligertwood, Rocco DeLuca, Denny Laine, Spencer Davis, Bobby Kimball, Paul Oscher, A.C. Reed, Don Felder, Randy Miesner, Ski Johnson, Vince Gill, Eric Freidman and the band Tremonti. Roger is a powerful singer songwriter/guitarist who has been described as a "One-man wrecking crew with all the technical dexterity and soul of a delta blues virtuoso". In addition to guitar and vocals, Roger is also an accomplished blues harmonica player and drummer. He is endorsed by Dean Markley Strings, Hipshot, Audix Microphones and Republic Resonator Guitars.
Some of the highlights of his career include performances at the 2nd, 3rd and 5th Annual Fender Catalina Island Blues Festival, as well as the 1998, 1999, 2001, and 2002 Chicago Blues Festivals. Roger also performed at the 1999 and 2001 Ocho Rios Jazz Festival in Jamaica, the 2003 and 2004 Monterey Blues Festival and The Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas.
In early 2001 Roger teamed up with Maxwell Street Blues Artist Jimmy Lee Robinson, a name once synonymous with the likes of Elmore James, Freddy King and Little Walter. They were joined by veteran Chicago bassist Bob Stroger and drummer Neil Rose for a series of performances throughout the Midwest. Unfortunately, the band was short lived after Jimmy found out he had cancer and decided to take his own life. During that same time Roger joined Koko Taylor, Billy Branch and Lonnie Brooks at The Park West in Chicago for a concert to benefit The Blue Heaven Foundation.
In 2002 Roger moved to Catalina Island in Southern California where he would enjoy the next 12 years as one of the island's premier blues acts. In Sept.'06 Roger and his band headlined the Famous Casino Ballroom with "The Spencer Davis Group" on Catalina Island opening to a sold out crowd. Roger then joined forces with Spencer Davis to form "Spencer Davis & The Catalina Island All-Stars" aka: The CIA. The band produced a 10 song CD including 2 of Roger's originals which was released at the 2012 outdoor 4th of July concert at Casino Point where the band performed to a record crowd.
Roger has released 3 CD's of original music and licensed his music for 2 motion pictures, to include the last Rodney Dangerfield movie "Back by Midnight" his music can also be heard on several blues compilations including (2) Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine's "Blues Sampler" CD's. In all, Roger appears on over 25 various albums releases both in the U.S and Europe.
Roger is now based in Nashville, TN and continues to perform and write.
vIDEOS
album credits
acclaim
"Rack Of Blues"
This CD Blues Sampler contains one of Roger's songs from the "Reason to Cry" album. You can also hear songs from other Artists such as Steven Seagal and Eric Burdon. The compilation is only available with a new subscription to Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. Log on to www.bigcitybluesmag.com
"Reason To Cry" Roger Connelly & The Blues Merchants
This Album is comprised of 10 original songs that closely reflect the bands live performance. The CD was recorded at Baked Nebraska Studios in Naperville, Illinois. www.rogerconnelly.net
"No Stranger To Bad Weather" Roger Connelly
This is Roger's first solo CD it contains a mixture of 10 original acoustic-electric tracks including blues, rock and even a little country. This is the studio album that Roger used as the model to launch the band in 1996. www.rogerconnelly.net
"Shadows" Defend Me Heaven
This is the debut CD from Chicago based Alternative Rock Group Defend Me Heaven. Recorded at the famed Dr. Caw Studios. Roger plays all the drum tracks as well as harmonica on one track.
"Catalina Hollywood's Magical Island"
From award wining film producer Greg Reitman. Roger has one original song “The Rooster”, in the Movie and soundtrack.
"Rarities" The Stepps
Led by Irish Rocker John Fallon, this is a collection of 21 previously unreleased songs from the band. Roger appears on “Rockin’ Chair” by Oasis.
"Oasis Blues" Vol. 4
This is the 4th CD sampler produced by the Oasis Company. Roger appears on one of his original songs, “Angel Tree”.
"Spencer Davis & The Catalina Island Allstars"
Originally produced by The Catalina Island Museum, this 10 song CD was first for sale during the 2012 4th of July concert at Casino Point in Avalon, Ca. Roger has 2 original songs on the album
"Atomic Cossack" John Fallon
Solo project from John Fallon of The Steppes. Roger appears on “Rockin Chair” previously released on the “Rarities” album.
"Come Clean" Eric Friedman
Debut CD by Guitarist Eric Friedman aka: “ERock” who would later go on to join the band “Creed” and “Tremonti. Roger plays harmonica and does backing vocals.
"Out On The Fringe" Daryl Braithwaite
1979 Solo album by Australian Artist Daryl Braithwaite best known as the lead singer of “Sherbert”. Roger appears as a studio musician on several tracks as a backing vocalist and also plays an electronic drum on one track.
"Back By Midnight" Rodney Dangerfield
One of Roger’s original songs, “Dine Behind The wheel” is featured on Rodney’s final movie before his passing. There is an all-star cast including Dennis Quaid and Kirstie Alley.
"Wings Across The Channel"
This is a movie from film producer/director Jim Watson about the aviation history of California’s Catalina Island. Roger is featured on a re-make of the song “Sundown” by Gordon Lightfoot.
"Blame It On The Blues" Jim Hughes
Country Blues Artist Jim Hughes re-recorded 2 of Roger’s original songs for his solo CD., “Lifetime of the Blues and Bad Weather Blues.
"Pikor's Barbecue" Chuck Cox
The first solo CD by Chicago Acoustic Artist Check Cox released on Irma’s Hand Records. Roger is featured playing harmonica on “Past Life Regression.
"Somewhere Through The Trees" by Mike Scully & The Weary Travelers
Roger recorded harmonica at Dark Horse Studios in Nashville, TN on one of the tracks for this Los Angeles, CA based band.
"Play It Forward" by Boo Alert
Roger sang lead on one of tracks on this Nashville release.
"Oceans" Theme song for the Warped Tour
Roger recorded harmonica on the song Oceans along with various other musicians from the tour at The House of Blues Recording Studio in Nashville, TN
"Big Life" Movie
Roger has 3 original songs on this up-coming film about a Long Haul Truck Driver who attempts to re-connect with son during a road trip. The movie is due for release in March 2022.
"Mojo Hand"
The 2021 CD Sampler by Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine. Roger's original song Epitaph is included in this release.
AUDIO
SET LIST/TECH
Set List
1. Stormy Monday (A)
2. Feels Like Rain (G)
3. Ain�t No Sunshine (Em)
4. Bring It On Home (G)
5. Tore Down (G)
6. Teach You How to Dance (G)
7. Lifetime of The Blues (E)
8. About to Begin (Bm)
9. Blues Jam (Am)
10. Bad Little Baby (G)
11. It�s Only A Matter of Time (E)
12. Crosscut Saw (A)
13. You Upsets Me Baby (B)
14. Don�t leave Me Here Tonight (D)
15. Bad Weather Blues (E)
16. Hoochie Coochie man (G)
17. Drivin� Wheel (A)
18. Latin Jam (A)
19. I�ve Got Nothin� (G)
20. Youngblood (A)
21. Livin� On Borrowed Time (Em)
00. Reason to Cry (E)
22. Black Cat Moan (E)
23. I�m A Man (E)
24. Mustang Sally (A)
25 One Way Out (G)
26. Walkin� By Myself (A)
27. Honky Tonk Woman (G)
28. Gimme Me One Reason (F#m)
29. Killin� Floor (A)
30. Sweet Home Chicago (E)
31. The One in Gray (Am)
32. Before You Accuse Me (G)
33. Red House (E)
34. Born in Chicago (A)
35. In This Place (E)
36. Comin� Down with Something (A)
37. I�m Ready (D)
38. Mary Had A Little Lamb (E)
39. Crossroads (E)
40. You Got to Thank the Blackman (E)
41. Jam in Am7
42. Goin� Down (E)
43. Spooky (Em)
44. Gimmie Some Lovin� (E)
45. Too Tired (G)
46. Nobody Know You (F) (Solo in D)
47. Tulsa Time (E)
48. The Thrill Is Gone (Gm)
49. Feel Like Makin� Love (D)
50. Can�t keep a Good Man Down (G)
51. I Can�t Hold On (E)
52. Summertime (Em)
53. Take Out Some Insurance (E)
54. Some Kind of Wonderful (G)
55. American Dream Machine (E)
56. Oughta Be a Law (E)
57. Epitaph (E)
58. Green Onions (E) Break Song
59. Can�t Put Your Finger On It (F#)
60. Help Me (G)
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