Kind words for "Straight Ahead": "Justus’ vagabond guitar playing relies on finger tone more than amp tone, a refreshing approach to the instrument perhaps lost today in the shuffle of boutique pedals and guitar amps. That approach fits the former Red Stick Rambler’s chosen songwriting style, somewhere between lounge Americana and Quaalude honky-tonk, whatever that means. His new record, Straight Ahead, to be released this month, shows off impressive word play to match his lilting scale work." "The Current", Lafayette Louisiana. Who is this guy? Growing up in Memphis, Tennessee, Chas Justus knew he was born to play the guitar. With a confidence and diversity that belies his young age, his playing moves seamlessly between the numerous blues styles he’s mastered and the country jazz and Southwest Louisiana guitar styles that he loves. His guitar playing has been featured on numerous albums, many from the thriving Louisiana music scene, and his original songs can be heard on some great recordings including the Grammy Nominated album from Linda Rondstadt and Ann Savoy, Adieu False Heart. His instantly recognizable and singular guitar playing, his singing, and his songwriting make him a welcome, exciting new voice in the next generation of Southern troubadours. In 1999, Chas helped start the beloved Louisiana roots band The Red Stick Ramblers. Ten years with that group of young, phenomenal players took him around the world and landed them a recording contract with Sugar Hill Records. Since that time he has performed and recorded with many artists including T Bone Burnett, Linda Rondstadt, Jay Ungar, Tim O’Brien and Flaco Jimenez and the Los Texmaniacs. His current band, The Revelers, earned a Grammy Nomination for their recording Get Ready. This hard-working band has been tearing up the U.S. festival and concert scene and has appeared on HBO’s Treme and Garrison Keillor’s Prairie Home Companion. Chas helps organize the popular Blackpot Festival in Lafayette, Louisiana which he has been a part of since it began. To extend the joy and further the mission of Blackpot, he started Blackpot Camp which is held yearly in the week leading up to the festival. The camp is held out on the cajun prairie of Eunice, LA with dancing every night and workshops on cooking, music and dance every day!