Biography

Bluesman Chris Cain was something of a late bloomer, not cutting his first album until he was past 30, and releasing a breakthrough comeback effort when he was in his early sixties. But if it took the public a while to catch on to his music, he'd long had the respect of his peers, with hotshot guitarist Joe Bonamassa citing him as one of his favorite players. As a guitarist, Cain's style shows the influence of B.B. King and Albert King (both of whom were friends and mentors), with a bite and energy that set him apart from his heroes, as well as a passionate, full-bodied vocal style that has no trouble filling a room. 1990's Cuttin' Loose was an impressive early release, his self-titled 2017 album reminded blues fans of a talent that was traveling under the radar for way too long, and 2021's Raisin' Cain was a fiery set that marked his debut for celebrated blues label Alligator Records. Chris Cain was born in San Jose, California on November 19, 1955. His father had grown up in Memphis, Tennessee and was a passionate blues fan, and he often entertained his son with stories of life on Beale Street. Blues music was a staple on the family stereo (Muddy Waters, Albert King, Ray Charles, and Freddie King were among his Dad's favorites), and Chris attended a B.B. King concert when he was just three years old. (Other acts seen by the youngster included Jimi Hendrix, James Brown, and Johnny Winter.) Growing up in a multicultural neighborhood, Cain also soaked up the sounds of rock, funk, jazz, and Latin music. He picked up the guitar when he was eight, and ten years later he was playing professionally. After completing high school, he enrolled at San Jose City College, where he studied music, and he went on to teach there, leading a class in jazz improvisation. As he dug deeper into his study of music, he also learned to play piano, bass, clarinet, and saxophone. In the mid-'80s, Cain formed a blues band and began playing out in San Jose and the surrounding area. He noticed that the folks who booked acts for clubs were more impressed when an artist gave them a vinyl LP rather than a demo tape, so he set out to make an album. Bankrolled by his family, 1987's Late Night City Blues received enthusiastic reviews and was nominated for four W.C. Handy Awards, including Best Guitarist, and the acclaim gave Cain a major career boost. His touring schedule in the United States picked up, and he was embraced by fans around the world, regularly playing in Europe, Japan, Australia, and Russia. He struck a deal with established blues label Blind Pig Records, and his first release for them, Cuttin' Loose, came out in 1990. Two more albums for Blind Pig followed -- 1992's Can't Buy a Break and 1995's Somewhere Along the Way -- and 1997 saw him return to Blue Rock'it Records (the California label that issued Late Night City Blues) for Unscheduled Flight. 2001's Cain Does King was a special homage to his first guitar hero, B.B. King, and was followed by 2003's Hall of Shame. The Ford Blues Band, which included celebrated jazz and rock guitarist Robben Ford, brought Cain along for 2006's The Butterfield/Bloomfield Concert, recorded at a show honoring Paul Butterfield Blues Band members Paul Butterfield and Mike Bloomfield. Ford and Larry Carlton would guest on 2010's So Many Miles, which was followed by a sabbatical from recording as Cain focused on touring. He returned to the studio for 2017's Chris Cain, cut with a band that included Tom Waits and Canned Heat bassist Larry Taylor, and Robert Cray and B.B. King keyboard player Jim Pugh. The album earned rave reviews in the music press and gave his career a second wind. Alligator Records signed him to a new record deal, and they issued Raisin' Cain in 2021. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi