Listed as one of the Top U.S. Blues Releases of 2004 in the 11th Annual Real Blues Awards, the debut album from Montana bluesman Mike Bader is sure to appeal to serious blues fans. A review in REAL BLUES magazine states: "This is definitely one of the better independent releases of the year..." describing Bader's playing style as "Tough urban blues with a lot of barroom grit...He's got a biting, vintage Buddy Guy guitar sound and every one of the 11 tracks is a Bader original. Every song is fine Blues with 5 standouts." Born in 1958 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, this veteran bluesman has musical roots stretching to 1971 and his first paid gig. He regularly plays clubs and festivals in the Northern Rockies and Midwest areas of the U.S. He is joined on Clearcut Case of the Blues by a veteran team of players including keyboardist Tom "T-Bone" Giblin, a member of the Iowa Blues Hall of Fame who has toured with Lonnie Brooks, Mighty Joe Young and numerous other blues stars. Dave Bader has played bass in the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area for many years. Mike "Butchie" O'Connell has been drumming professionally for more than 30 years. Guest guitarist Craig Erickson has recorded numerous CDs and toured Europe on several occasions. They comprise the popular Iowa band Flat Clat (www.flat-cat.com). The tight, fresh, lively sound on this disc is the result of a fun atmosphere and the enjoyment of playing music. All original material, the eleven cuts on this album are anchored by the blues and influenced by styles including R & B, jazz and reggae, with tight arrangements and solid vocals and lyrics. In an interview with The Guide in Cedar Rapids, Bader said "A lot of the songs are first takes. I wanted to record a CD that's true to what people would get if they saw me play in a club. This is meat and potatoes blues music." Bader's blues have been described as "infectious," as he puts a lot of energy into his live shows. That energy is well captured on Clearcut Case of the Blues.