Singer Sheryl Warner was one of the first few women to attend the Virginia Commonwealth University Jazz Studies Program. Her rich, expressive voice has developed over thirty years of singing in the blues tradition, described by Dirty Linen as "One of the most expressive and powerful voices in blues today. " Sheryl draws on the extensive repertoire of early women blues singers, bringing her own unique style to the music of legends such as Bessie Smith and Memphis Minnie, and she reinterprets the lyrics, while retaining the spirit, of the great bluesmen. Sheryl also performs with Among Friends, an eclectic group of veteran Richmond-area musicians that periodically holds concerts and have issued several recordings.
Gregg Kimball plays six-string, twelve-string, and National steel guitars as well as banjo. His fluency in a wide range of early blues styles makes him a perfect complement to Sheryl and Rick. He has performed with National Heritage Award winner and harmonica master Phil Wiggins, presented many traditional artists at national festivals. He is the current chair of the Richmond Folk Festival program committee. Gregg is also a published author whose interest in the blues comes from his research and writing in Southern history and and culture. He designs compelling multimedia presentations based on his long experience developing programming for museums and libraries.
Rick Manson has been playing harmonica for more than forty years. He was a student and protege of Richmond and New York blues legend Nat Riddles. His influences range from Little Walter to Charlie McCoy to Sonny Terry. His sound ranges from lyrical melodic playing to hard-edged Chicago blues. Rick has played with many Richmond bands, including the Detonators, the Smokin' Section, and the Brian Doherty Trio.
