THE CONTINENTALS

The Continentals play Chicago and Texas style blues, and is the new name for Andy Broad's Rhythm Kings, as that upstart Bill Wyman stole their name! As The Rhythm Kings, they first played together during the winter of 1996. In a quiet spot between gigs, Andy Broad and Tim Nowell from The Busted Fender Blues Band got together for a jam with Buster Wingham and Frank Kelly, who were then playing with The Fabulous Blue Keys. An enthusiastic and enjoyable evening of music ensued and another jam was arranged. Both halves went away and decided that they might put a band together based on the evenings music and so the next 'jam' turned into a 'rehearsal'. A set of old favourites (including Muddy Waters' "I'm Ready", Jimmie Rogers' "Rock This House") and a few numbers new to the band members (Hubert Sumlin and Ronnie Earl's "Can't Keep From Crying") were put together with a minimum of fuss - and the Rhythm Kings were born. Or was it The Continentals?