TUPELO BLUE BAND BIO:
Tupelo blue was formed in mid-1994 and began playing South Bay venues soon after.
The band’s format was mainly based on Chicago-style blues but quickly blossomed with an infusion of jazz and a scattering of rock flavorings.

After standing-down for about two years the band reformed with the “CD line-up” and kicked things off with an acclaimed appearance at Seal Beach Concerts By The Pier in March of 2006. They have since then played Original Mike’s, Fender Avenue Bar & Grill and Belmont Station, all top venues in Orange County and L.A. areas.

Their self-released CD, ‘Tupelo Blue’ came-out in 1999 to glowing reviews with sales that netted the band a tidy profit. The CD is distributed in the U.S. and Canada, and has received airplay in North America and Europe.

Bob Lesher: Harmonica & Vocals
Raised in Fullerton, California, Bob is the patriarch of Tupelo Blue with the most years under his belt. Began playing in 1965 with a Rolling Stones/Animals cover band. Recorded an LP with the City Blues Band in 1967 which is still sought after collectors item in Europe. Played five years in Blues Union Band, based out of Victoria, British Columbia. Did a six-month run, 1977-78, with famed L.A. Bluesman Smokey Wilson. Blues Union, with Lesher fronting the band, was voted 'Most Influential Blues Band' on the 2009 ballot for the Royal City music Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame, located in Victoria, capitol city of British Columbia. He will be going to Victoria to accept the award on September 20, 2009. Has opened for Albert King, Koko Taylor, Jr Wells and John Hammond. Backed-up local favorite Joe Houston with his Blues-Rock group, Backseat Boogie, in the 1980’s.

Lesher writes much of the original material the band plays, including ‘I Believe It’s True’ in which reviewer Jim Santella attributes “dramatic power and a driving rhythm.”

As to his harmonica style on the Tupelo Blue CD, AllAboutBlues.com says, “Lesher’s harmonica solos light creative fires.”

Ken Sheldon: Guitar & Backing Vocals
Brought-up in Hawthorne, California, Ken cites many influences to his distinctive blues playing. His stylings incorporate jazz and the tough edge of Chicago Blues. Ken worked in several rock cover bands prior to meeting Lesher in 1994, when they formed Tupelo Blue and launched a successful partnership that is maintained to this day.

Ken co-writes all of the original Tupelo Blue songs with Lesher. Their excellent chemistry in song writing is praised in the very positive reviews the Tupelo Blue CD received upon its release in late 1999.

Sheldon’s guitar playing and Bob’s harmonica work as a combo, giving the band a depth and dimension most four-piece units only dream of. Says L.A. Jazz Scene, Sheldon’s playing says, “Ya gimme fever!” while another publication cites his solo in one tune as a “stellar Wes Montgomery interlude”.

Scott Lambert: Bass
Scott Lambert is one of the busiest bass players in the blues community. He was born and grew up in Long Beach, CA. He received his first guitar in 1957 and got his first electric bass guitar (a Fender Jazz Bass) in 1969. That bass is still used regularly. In 1994 Scott also picked up and frequently uses a late 40's Kay S-9 upright bass. Influences include Elvis, Little Richard, Bill Haley, Charlie Musslewhite, Paul Butterfield, Grateful Dead, Quicksilver, Dick Dale, Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, and the whole Chicago blues scene.

Scott has worked in tons of So. Cal. bands over the years, covering every style of music imaginable. Band leaders he’s been associated with, and still supports in many cases, include Fred Chel, "White Boy" James, Max Bangwell, and Job Striles. He’s currently working with Jr. Watson, Jay Summers, 2000 lbs. Of Blues, Victor Voce, Ricky Parrish, J.T. Ross, Darrin Stout, Bob Crail, and of, course Tupelo Blue. Scott also played the Happy Hour spot at Long Beach’s Blue Café every Saturday from 1994 to 2006... now that’s a long run! Scott says his Main Goal these days is to rattle all the drinks at the end of the Bar...!

Scott Van Dusen: Drums & Percussion:
Scott joined Tupelo Blue in 1996 and quickly established himself as an essential member of the unit. He played in several original L.A.-based rock bands in the 1980’s and eventually settled into the local folk-rock favorite, Common Ground, a few years before joining Tupelo Blue.

Scott, quite simply, is an all-around drummer and adapts to any given situation. He designs all of band graphics, including those for the CD and all promo material.

Van Dusen can be as steady-driving as a fully-loaded freight train on a blues standard such as ‘Good Morning, Little Schoolgirl’ or can offer-up, as L.A. Jazz Scene puts it, “a stirring Gene Krupa impression” on Tupelo Blue’s original ‘Bored With The Devil’.