"Based out of Albany, New York, the George Boone Blues Band's eight-cut debut disc, Stranger in My Hometown (Mr. Gee Music), is a well-conceived , produced and performed calling card. Recently heard on Johnnie Marshall's 98 Cents in the Bank (JSP), Boone has a powerful, though usually understated voice. He's got the pipes, but doesn't overwhelm or attempt to beat listeners into submission. He's an equally adept guitarist with a penchant for loose jams. The groove set up on the opening title cut reminds of Tony Joe White's "Polk Salad Annie," strangely enough- and that's a compliment from these quarters. He's a soulful bluesman with an equally impressive and tight band, able to keep the pace and compliment his guitar and vocals. The songs are cast out of the day to day. These are not formulaic cliches, but rather heartfelt monologues that grab. His "Meaning of the Blues" is from the classic mold, and "Somebody Just For Me" is a late night lament that most living, breathing souls can relate to. If this band hits the Midwest, I'm there."

In 2002 we had a busy summer, including a three-week tour out West, highlighted by our July 4th performance at the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival. in Oregon. Here's a bit of the response: "... *the word on the street, from the blues cognoscenti, were all raves. I dug the intensity, and the way George and you guys dug in."

*Peter Dammann - Talent Coordinator-Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival
2000 WC Handy Award Winner for Keeping The Blues Alive Award - Blues Promoter of the Year

We were voted Metroland's "Best Blues Band" for 2001...Here's what they said: "Singer-guitarist Boone and his cohorts have snagged this prize before, but what caught our attention this year was the group's scathing new album, "Stranger in My Hometown", which captures how Boone's from-the-gut vocals and piercing leads interact with the passionate musicianship of his four sidemen. The George Boone Band play the real shit: angry, raw and tough as leather."