A rising blues star took the stage Aug. 3 at RJ’s Sports Grill & Bar in Pine Bluff. The event was the sixth in the 2024-25 Blues by Budweiser Concert Series hosted by Port City Blues Society and sponsored by MK Distributors.
In addition to Amanda Fish, with her powerful lead vocals and bass guitar, the three-piece group consists of guitarist Terry Midkiff and Glen James on drums.
Before the 8 p.m. start of their three-hour show, the band shared a little of their history .
“We now live in Washington, Missouri, near St Louis,” said Fish. “I grew up in Kansas City.”
In reference to one of the most popular music venues in the country found in Kansas City, she said, “I kind of grew up playing at Knuckleheads.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Fish’s husband is drummer Glen James.
“We got married at Knuckleheads five years ago,” he said. “We’ve been around them so long they let us do our ceremony there.”
Asked their opinion of RJ’s she said, “I didn’t know what we would find before we got here, but this is a great space to play. It’s been a long time since we were last in Arkansas. It’s great to be back.”
Fish was asked about her discography.
“We have three studio records,” she said.
They include 2015’s “Down in the Dirt” and 2018’s “Free.” “Free” debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart and, during the 40th Blues Music Awards, won her the title of Best Emerging Artist.
Her latest 2024 release “Kingdom” is composed of 10 original songs written over a six-year period that reflect heartfelt emotions concerning “faith, redemption and hope amidst chaos with a strong focus on truth and love.” It was recorded in Blue Lotus Studio in St Louis.
She currently appears on the VizzTone label of Massachusetts.
A fourth LP released in 2022 is titled “Trailer Park Demos.” She said, “We did that one in our living room during covid.”
At the start of the show, Fish introduced herself and fellow players.
“We are an eclectic band. We’re going to give you some blues, some rock and some country,” she said.
She failed to mention what proved to be a good dose of gospel as well.
Among her own songs, she spiced in the occasional Credence Clearwater Revival, “Fortunate Son,” Janis Joplin’s “Ball & Chain” and even dished up some “Amazing Grace” and Lynard Skynard’s “Free Bird.”
A reverent hush came over the full house as she performed solo accompanying herself on acoustic guitar while belting out the powerful, questioning lyrics of “Mother,” likely drawn from her deep, personal experiences as a new mom and front line healthcare worker.
Other evocative lyrics in her music included, “We are not friends” and “Wake up and fight before you lose everything.”
During the final half hour of the second set, Fish invited local musicians, Jerry McCoy and Lex Capraitalia to sit in on guitar and drums respectively.
Fish is sister to well-known rock/blues, singer/songwriter/guitarist Samantha Fish, although Amanda Fish has carved out a unique niche for herself in the music world.
The next Blues by Budweiser show will take place Sept. 7 and feature the Gary Burnside Band.
For information concerning dates and bookings visit @amandafishband.
Amanda Fish has carved out a niche in the music world with her powerful vocal range and heartfelt emotion poured into every song. (Special to The Commercial/Richard Ledbetter)