Chris James & Patrick Rynn

Blues fans have long been well aware of vocalist and lead guitarist chris james and bassist patrick rynn as longtime leaders of their own band, the blue four, as well as for their stellar work with a dazzling array of blues legends. Gonna Boogie Anyway, their second album for the Earwig label following their Blues Music Award-nominated 2008 set Stop And Think About It., triumphantly marks the latest chapter for the San Diego-based duo, whose high-energy approach remains deeply rooted in traditional electric blues from Chicago to all points south.

Chris' dazzling guitar work is featured even more prominently than on its acclaimed predecessor, and for the first time on disc, the pair performs four unplugged selections, James' vocals ringing with extraordinary force over rollicking grooves anchored by Patrick's rock-steady bass. Original material dominates; the album's four covers include two Bo Diddley gems ("Little Girl" and "Dearest Darling"). Piano legends Henry Gray and David Maxwell and veteran Chicago drummers Sam Lay and Willie Hayes are all on board, as is their harp-blowing cohort Rob Stone. Chris and Patrick return the favor on Rob's new Earwig CD, Back Around Here. Stop And Think About It. spread the names of Chris James and Patrick Rynn far and wide. The CD was nominated for a Blues Music Award as best debut recording and won a Blues Blast Award as best artist debut. "Mister Coffee," a standout original from the album, was nominated for a BBA and a third place finisher in the Independent Music Awards, where Chris and Patrick were nominated for a People's Choice Award. And in 2010, Patrick was nominated for a Blues Music Award as best bassist, adding another impressive honor to their shared trophy case.

James and Rynn inaugurated their musical partnership in 1990 when both were in Chicago for the first time. The sartorially splendiferous duo has been inseparable ever since, their telepathic onstage interplay in evidence whether they're digging deep into classic postwar blues or dishing up the meaty, satisfying originals so prominent on both of their Earwig CDs.

Born in North Carolina but raised in the warm and sunny climes of San Diego, Chris was hooked on blues as a child. "I started playing piano by the time I was 11. Chuck Berry was the first guy that was really a big influence on me," he says. Transfixed by anything having to do with blues, Chris snagged a gofer job at a local blues festival where he talked to Texas-bred guitarist Tomcat Courtney, San Diego's top bluesman then and now. Chris was skilled enough on harp at the age of 13 to join Courtney's band shortly thereafter their first encounter.

"I only played harmonica with him for maybe six months or something like that, and then the bass player quit. And then Tom just gave me a bass and said, 'Okay, boy, here's the bass. The bass player's quit. I need you to learn this by next week!'" laughs Chris. Soon he was alternating between bass and guitar with Courtney before switching over to guitar altogether.

In 1990, Chris made his first pilgrimage to Chicago. An impromptu jam with blues pianist Detroit Junior led to his first steady gig. In his free time, Chris made the rounds of local jam sessions. He first encountered Patrick while sitting in at B.L.U.E.S. Etc. "We did not hit it off when we first met each other," admits Chris. Fate decreed that the pair would cross paths again very soon at the Guitar Center, where Patrick worked. Chris came in and played a dazzling "Terraplane Blues." "We became instant friends," says Patrick. "He ended up coming down to the store just about every day." A new blues duo was permanently established then and there. It wasn't like Patrick didn't have experience holding down the bottom in a blues band. Born in Toledo, Ohio, he was classically trained on bass before a buddy urged him to check out a high school jazz ensemble led by veteran saxist Floyd "Candy" Johnson, who invited the young bassist to play with the orchestra.