BLUE MILLION BIO

When it comes to rock’n’blues, Blue Million has come full circle. Alan Griffith and Gary Cash are Madison natives that got together soon after high school in the Stanley Lewis Band. Early gigs had them playing in local Madison area bars such as the Avalon, Bob & Bea’s, A J’s, and even “The Hut” at Van, WV, a bar famous for the house band (aka One Man Band) Hasil Adkins. They were playing straight-up rock, influenced by U2, REM, Lou Reed, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, and the Rolling Stones. This love of the late 60’s and early 70’s music grew out of their influences as youths. Alan’s older brother Mike loved this music but he couldn't play. He told Alan, “If you want to play like those guys, you've got to learn to play the blues.” Alan then went back to the roots of rock and roll and learned all the blues he could. Especially the early American and British blues greats, Robert Johnson, John Lee Hooker, the Blue Breakers, Cream, and early Fleetwood Mac.

Andy Lewis joined the original Blue Million lineup with Alan and Gary following the breakup of the Stanley Lewis Band. This three piece band then moved on to bigger Charleston and Morgantown venues - the bar owners and a devoted following loved them and they were always invited back. Through the late 70’s and 80’s, Blue Million continued to play a lot of originals and “their” style of music, contrary to the pop trends of disco, “big hair” bands, and heavy metal. They were a welcomed relief for anyone who despised twirling multi colored light balls, corporate record company hype, and loud distorted bands.

Blue Million separated for awhile in the early 1990’s while Alan pursued solo folk music and folk rock with the bands, Rainbirds and The Cheap Beats. Blue Million reformed with Andy and Jay Hill, then Kevin Kidd on bass. Gary Cash returned on bass in 19xx to reform the original Blue Million lineup.

Blue Million doesn’t play out often, but you can expect the best they have “in ‘em” when they do play in front of a crowd of 20 or a 1000. If you are a musician, have tried, or even had a dream of playing music, you can relate to the challenges of keeping three talented musicians together, working hard over a span of 30 plus years to make music that they love, that is a cut above your average bar band. You will hear the difference EVERYTIME Blue Million flips the switch on the PA.