The Stars Motel Story “The Stars Motel,” features 4 guitarists, famous in the world of blues, who each stayed at Liz Mandeville’s recording studio while co-writing the music for this project with her. They are: Guitarist for the late Phil Guy, Dario Lombardo (Turin, Italy), Blues Blast Award Nominee, Rochelle Coba (Miami), Scott Ellison (Tulsa) and Billy Branch alum, Minoru Maruyama (Japan). Doug Deming (Tampa) has also contributed a solo. Liz not only produced the project and plays guitar and washboard, she is handling all the vocals! It started in 2013 when Scott Ellison called Liz. The two artists had met when each released an album on the Earwig Label in 2008. Scott said he and his band were coming to play in Chicago and had no hotel rooms. Liz said “You can stay in my studio, but the price of admission is we write and record 3 tunes while you’re here.” Scott agreed and the first three tunes were made. Scott’s Clapton-esque rock influenced blues married nicely with Liz’s witty lyrics for a trio of edgy swinging tunes. The following year, Dario Lombardo was booked to play the Chicago Blues Fest. His accommodations fell through at the last minute and Liz stepped up and offered Dario the same deal. “You can stay but we have to write and record 3 tunes.” Liz and Dario did three weeks of gigs, drank a lot of red wine and wrote three great tunes including Reefer and a Glass of Wine that features a solo from Tampa’s master of Swing, Doug Deming. Later that year Rachelle Coba, who Liz had met when both women were in Clarksdale playing the Juke Joint Festival, called to say her debut CD had been nominated for a Blues Blast Award. She said she could get from Miami to Chicago, but where the heck was Carbondale? Liz told her “Come to Chicago a few days early, lets write 3 tunes and then I’ll drive you to Carbondale!” So it was on! Rachelle’s collaboration yielded a trio that rings with Delta influence, from the New Orleans 2nd Line flavor of Everybody Knew But Me to the hauntingly hypnotic Hill Country Groove of River of Blood. Nine tunes was just a bit short for a CD, so Liz approached Japanese born Minoru Maruyama, who had played on her 2014 Heart ‘O’ Chicago release. Minoru gave Liz the beautiful ballad that became One Dance, complete with a Memphis Horn treatment, as well as the West side blues firecracker, What Is Truth. Liz spent the last 6 months in the studio with engineer Jim Godsey who has worked on all Liz’s projects since the ‘90’s. Adding Horns, keys, blues harp, even tuba and washboard! The result is a party on a platter! Check in to the Stars Motel and see for yourself!! What the Press Are Saying: “For years now Liz Mandeville has been making compelling Chicago style blues records. Her song writing really sets her apart. Her songs do what good blues songs should do, tell the truth, but her perspective and subject matter has kept her fresh and new. Her guitar playing is good and her vocals always strong and soulful. Her new album brings it all together along with some very ‘special’ special guests. Get into the Heart 'O' Chicago with Liz.” ---Tom Marker, WXRT-FM, Chicago “The Bette Midler of the Blues is back with her third CD on her own indie label. Once again, this multi-talented diva is joined by dazzling guest stars who light up The Stars Motel. Together they take us on an adventurous musical road trip from Chicago to Memphis, New Orleans and the Delta. Liz’s soulful vocals regale us with truthful stories as only this award-winning songwriter can tell them. Book a room at this motel today!” ---Linda Cain, Chicago Blues Guide Editor “Pride of place for the most impressive blues album released so far this decade goes to Liz’s new album.” — Frank-John Hadley, Downbeat Magazine ARTIST BIOS-- Liz Mandeville Award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, record producer, washboard player, humorist, yogi, educator, DJ, journalist and healer, Liz Mandeville, grew up on a two land highway in a haunted house on the outskirts of town. She came to Chicago to study theater and discovered the blues instead. Since ’83, Liz led her own band on trips across the US and Canada. Liz was signed to Earwig Music in ’96. She was on 7 CD’s for that label before starting her own Blue Kitty imprint in 2011. This is her 3rd Blue Kitty CD. Liz has held down long term residencies at some of Chicago’s finest night spots. During the 5 years she sang every Tuesday at Blue Chicago, she put herself through Columbia College, earning a BA in Music. Liz is a 2013 inductee in the Chicago Blues Hall of Fame. She won the 2011 Windy City Blues Challenge. Her critically acclaimed CD’s have been nominated for various awards including a Grammy nod for her first release and Chicago Music Awards nominations for all her Earwig releases. Liz has toured 12 countries on 3 continents. She is a DJ for WNUR-FM’s Blues Show. Scott Ellison In addition to solo records and playing with other artists, Ellison has also penned songs that have appeared in such hit TV shows as Sister Sister, Eye on L.A., and the soap opera Santa Barbara, as well as the soundtracks to motion pictures Reindeer Games, Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Joan of Arcadia, Saving Grace, Smash and four songs on 2012's hit TV show Justified on the FX Network. Scott was also pleased to see himself listed in the film credits for the movie "Feast of Love" starring Morgan Freeman in September 2007. Scott co-wrote, sang, played and co-produced his song "Don't Push Your Luck" for that movie. Scott just recently struck gold again with another song co-written by Scott in which he sang and performed "Jesus Loves Me" (Baby Why Don't You) in the new Blockbuster feature film "Home Front" starring Jason Statham, James Franco, Winona Ryder and Kate Bosworth. It became a single from the movie on JSE Records. Scott appears courtesy of Red Parlor Records. Minoru Maruyama Japanese born guitarist, Minoru Maruyama, came to the US, caught the blues bug and relocated to Chicago in 1991. Starting in ‘93, he began his blues apprenticeship playing with former Koko Taylor guitar slinger, Johnny B. Moore, the man he credits with teaching him the Chicago style of blues guitar. Minoru was lead guitar player for Billy Branch & the Sons of Blues from 2000 to 2006, touring nationally and internationally. He recorded one CD with that band. His traditional style has made him a favorite of West side blues artists, Mary Lane and Tail Dragger. He is the lead guitarist on Heart ‘O’ Chicago, Blue Kitty Music’s 2014 release, playing with Liz Mandeville & Blue Points. Rachelle Coba "Rachelle Coba, who started playing violin at 9 and guitar at 16, is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter and educator. While jamming at Miami’s famous Tobacco Road with numerous blues legends, she earned a BM in classical guitar performance from the University of Miami. With these influences, Rachelle developed her own unique finger-style approach to blues rhythm and lead guitar playing. She has worked with some of the blues greats including Matt "Guitar" Murphy, and toured to places as far away as Australia. Her debut release "Mother Blues" received a Blues Blast nomination for Best New Debut Cd in 2014. Rachelle was also in IBC semi-finalist in 2013 and has been a special guest on the Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruise. DARIO LOMBARDO A professional since 1979, guitarist, singer, radio DJ (Sunday morning from RadioFlashTorino.to - 97.6 FM) educator and author, Dario Lombardo, from Torino Italy, has been part of many well known Italian bands. He also worked with Phil Guy from 1987 to 2008, and Johnny Copeland, Luther Allison, Albert Collins, Liz Mandeville and Delores Scott among others. In 2014 he headlined the Tribute to Phil Guy during the 31st Annual Chicago Blues Festival, first Italian musician to headline a show during the Fest. Dario did the CBF two other times as guitarist for Phil Guy's Chicago Machine. Since 1988 he’s led his own band, The Blues Gang, releasing 5 CD’s with them. Since ’87, Dario’s taught Blues Guitar in public and private schools. He heads the Blues Department for JST – Jazz School Torino. He’s played all around Europe, US, and Africa. released seven albums between 1986 and 2013, one with Phil Guy. Many of his songs have been included in compilations and soundtracks. He produces DDA DRUNK, a handcrafted bottleneck slides made out of Italian wines bottles. In 2009 Dario created the Phil Guy International Day, a yearly event dedicated to the memory of mentor, Phil Guy.