2006 International Blues Challenge Finalists Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers are a four piece, blues harmonica driven wrecking crew. These knickerbockers have been singing, swinging and stinging Tri State area audiences for fifteen plus years with their own special brand of blues power. After winning the regional 2006 IBC competition, hosted locally by the Downstate Blues Society of Long Island, New York, these four professionals then took their special brand of original jump blues down to Memphis, Tennessee to compete in the annual International Blues Challenge. And wouldn’t you know it, out of literally hundreds of blues artists from all over the world the boys placed in the final top ten! Fresh from this triumph Lil’ Cliff & the Cliffhangers are now out to support their latest indi-cd release \"God Bless Women\" on Shankbone Records. Through a comprehensive combination of live appearances up and down the Northeast corridor, radio airplay (wfdu, wwoz, wusb to name a few), local cable television appearances (Wes Houston Presents) as well as the most user friendly web site you could hope for (replete with mp3 and electronic press kit downloads) these blues boys knock ‘em out of their shoes and leave them dancin’ barefoot! Fronting the band is, of course, Lil\' Cliff...tickling people\'s souls with his greasy harmonica and rich baritone vocals. Cliff is a big bundle of energy and knows how to uplift the folks out there and make them leave their worries behind. It\'s no wonder that the Village Voice called Cliff, \"A rising star on the Long Island blues scene.\" Sharing lead vocals and playing the stand-up bass is Rick Street. In addition to his solid bass playing, Rick also writes and arranges for the band, but he is always careful to bring a strong, stable bottom end for the band\'s soloists to depend on. Frank Patterson is an accomplished drummer and vocalist who brings a high level of musical skill and accomplishments to the band. He distinguished himself as a member of the U.S. Air Force Band playing before distinguished audiences in venues throughout Europe. Frank is a talented drum set player who will once again be an important contributor to the continued success of “Lil Cliff and the Cliffhangers. On lead guitar, and a fine vocalist in his own right, is Dennis Phelps. An infamous Gretsch player, Dennis capably shoulders his role in the band either when soloing or laying in with the rhythm section. He always manages to convey his deep emotional love for this music through his distinctive playing.