BLUES BUNNY UK REVIEW 2009: Experience is no bad thing, and if his résumé is to be believed, then Florida-based blueser Ernie Southern must have some incredible stories to tell. A staunch advocate of and servant to the delta blues, "Every Day Is A Fight" sees Mr Southern bring a full-band sound to his blues stylings. Grab a bottle of beer and crank it up! The title track serves as a fine start to the album, with some fine mouth harp to be heard while Southern's National Resophonic guitar sounds wonderful on "I Wanna Kill Somebody". . Expect my death to be reported in the coming weeks… Later on, there's a wonderfully antiquated feel to "Someone With Brains" as that National Resophonic homes in on you. A somewhat straightforward track, it is nonetheless menacing, and once again highlights the blues harping of Pompano Pete De Stefano. Let's face it, with a name like that he had to be good. We are then treated to some slide guitar on "Island Earth", but that blues harp once again dominates the song. There's even a little humour on display as can be found on "Atheist Funeral" ("I don't want to go to heaven/cause it does sound like hell"). Just as day passes into night, this release has an agreeable order to it, right down to the fading slide guitar on "Blame It On The Moon". If you're not satisfied by the album's end, try loosening your collar a touch. While this album is a departure from the stripped-down blues heard on his last album, "Every Day Is A Fight" only further proves Southern's importance to modern blues. Highly recommended. Available fromCD Baby. Review by: Peter McGee Ernie Southern & The Deltaholics: Solo, Duo, Trio, Full Band. International Blues Challenge Finalist! NEW CD: "Every Day Is A Fight!" 2009. **************************************** Every now & then an artist emerges & bursts fully mature on the blues scene. Ernie Southern is one of those few. Always a surpise, his style is unmistakably Authentic, evoking the "soul" & "spirit" of the blues masters. No stranger to music , he began his career as a "street corner" musician recording & performing with "NICK & THE NACKS" accapella group in New York. Opening for such acts as LITTLE ANTHONY, THE FOUR SEASONS & THE EARLS, he quickly developed his his unique stage presence. In the 60's, a spot on New York's "ZACHARLY SHOW" earned them an audition with CHESS RECORDS which offered the group a recording contract. Unfortunately for all, the Vietnam War was in high gear & the group disassembled so all could serve their country. During his four years in Naval Intelligence, He voraciously studied such blues masters as BLIND LEMON JEFFERSON, MUDDY WATERS & LIGHTNING HOPKINS, teaching himself to play guitar, Delta style, incorporating a serious slide. By the early 70's, with the advent of the pyschedelic era's new directions, Ernie began playing bass in Jazz-Rock-Fusion bands in Berkely, California. Studying with the much revered ELVO D'AMANTE, student of classical composer DARIUS MIO. Then, collaborating with muti-instrumentalist BILL HENNESSY to produce the single "Sailing THROUGH" which enjoyed air play in the north east. Moving to Florida in 1979 & working with a varietyof bands in various styles, he co-wrote "LIKE A KID AT CHRISTMAS" with "FIVE BOROUGHS" band leader FRANK IOVINO. This song has recieved international air play & is a perennial Christmas favorite. By 1992, after playing with ever-touring retro-rock band "RI$K", He once again opted to play the DELTA BLUES, which felt just right. The past decade has seen a return to playing, writing & performing the blues, opening for such acts as JIMMIE VAN ZANT BAND, BOB MARGOLIN, JOE BONAMASSA, LEON RUSSELL, CHARLIE MUSSLEWHITE, ALVIN YOUNGBLOOD HART, JOHN MOONEY, JOHN HAMMOND, JAMES COTTON & many many others. Winning the SOUTH FLORIDA REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE & finishing in the TOP THREE in the INTERNATIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE as a FINALIST, Ernie has since won the REGIONAL BLUES CHALLENGE representing THE SPACE COAST BLUES SOCIETY. Ernie looks forward to continued touring with his Band: "ERNIE SOUTHERN & THE DELTAHOLICS", giving passionate & entertaining performances, channeling his experiences through the blues: Original & Progressive Delta Style!!!