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Feel like going home. - December 3, 2008

Crystal Springs, Mississippi is home to Claud Johnson and his son, Steve Johnson. Both are direct decendants of the famous bluesman Robert Johnson, who supposedly, "sold his soul at the crossroad" in exchange for great ability to play the blues! As history would tell, Robert Johnson died at a young age, and while we remember the legacy of his music, let us not forget that more and more gifted musicians are emerging out of this small town. For example, Greg Osgood, also born and raised in Crystal Springs, and now a gifted blues musician in his early forties, has teamed up with a female vocalist and harmonica player, Cee Blaque, from Vicksburg, Ms. Together they comprise the dynamic-duo "Osgood & Blaque", who were welcomed with warm and cheering applause from those who came to see the duo perform during 2006 Annual Tomato Festival held in Crystal Springs' downtown district. Osgood & Blaque took the stage at the Robert Johnson Blues Foundation Museum located on the corner of Marion and South Jackson Street in Crystal Springs, Ms. They sold some cds, signed autographs, and talked with Claud Johnson about many things of a general nature. Afterwards, there were companionship, discussions, music and food.

Come on home to the blues! - November 12, 2008

It's a just a short drive from Delta, Louisiana across the mighty Mississippi River into what has been called "the red carpet city of the South", Vicksburg, Mississippi. But, as you drive northward along Washington Street, you'll also encounter several glimpses of Vicksburg history such as the Vicksburg Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Overlook and much more before you finally arrive downtown where you'll experience the virgin passion of Borrello's Italian Restaurant, Walnut Hills Restaurant or LD's Kitchen, all in the proximity of downtown. Take a brisk walk up and down Leevee Street near the flood wall and examine the newly dedicated Willie Dixon Mural located just around the corner from LD's Kitchen. Then mosey on around to Highway 61 Cofeehouse on Washington Street and get a whiff of Osgood & Blaque perking some freshly brewed "blues" and "oldies" served along with whatever your favorite coffee or mocha or hot chocolate or whatever. You've got to experience the fun of it all just this once. Don't plan for it. Just stop in. Whenever you're traveling down 61 from Memphis or up from Baton Rouge, just stop in. Drink some coffee. Enjoy the blues.

Cruise on over to Walnut Hills Restaurant and enjoy a fine array of southern dishes. You'll bite your tongue just thinking about the tasty meals that have been savored by personalities as far back as the legendary Son Thomas. In fact, Osgood & Blaque have performed in the very same spot where "Son" Thomas originally performed several decades ago. Here's a spine-chilling tale of a legendary bluesman. "Son" Thomas was one of the great Delta blues musicians, as well as a self-taught sculptor. As the story goes, Joyce May bought Walnut Hills in 1995 with Mary Ellen Flowers who soon went back to school and sold her interest to May. "It was something that I had always dreamed of," May said of owning a restaurant. "When I was a little girl, I used to play restaurant. And what cooking skills I have, I owe to my mother and grandmother, who taught me early to make molasses cookies and fantastic pies."

You never know where we're gonna be so if you're looking for Osgood & Blaque, you can smell, taste and feel the blues the closer you get to Vicksburg. It's savored with that southern cuisine that will make your mouth water. You'll thirst for that real southern Missisissippi culture. It's as historical as the art you'll find at the newly relocated H.C. Porter's Art Gallery, also on Washington Street. So, the next time you're traveling through the southern part of the United States, stop by Vicksburg, Mississippi and get a good whiff of real Italian cuisine, southern flavor, down home blues, smokestack barbecue, steamin' hot coffee and eye-poppin' history, all served up just for YOU our guests! And if somebody tells you Osgood & Blaque ain't around......aw...shoot!...they're just lying! See you when you get here!

What's new? - October 1, 2008

There are many experienced, proven, emerging artists that have demonstrated their worth. The wise among us will find ways to help them. Green, raw artists emerge everyday. And many unproven, inexperienced artists quickly experience demise. The cold, hard truth is: Not all emerging artist are ready for major exposure. This is serious as it involves other people's time, money and energy, as well as the artist‘s own resources. My experience has led me to conclude that sometimes its just easier for some to prejudge. In such a circumstance, it may be difficult to swallow a decision in favor of someone else. This thinking is not new. Bertrand Russell, who receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, once said: "What is [new] in our time is the increased power of the authorities to enforce their prejudices." I believe that negative critique is positive critique if it’s honest. Do you? Then, use it wisely.

For Immediate Release: - September 23, 2008

VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI: OSGOOD & BLAQUE RELEASES NEW CD ENTITLED: "RAW".

Osgood & Blaque, who currently reside in Vicksburg, Mississippi, is expecting a large turnout at their next live performance scheduled for October 3, 2008 in downtown Natchez, Mississippi. The big-band sounding duo will perform for all who dare to venture into their world of soul blues. Osgood & Blaque is also preparing for their upcoming cd release entitled: "Raw". Since 2003, the duo has released several recordings including The Good Is In The Man (2003), featuring a duet bearing the same name, which song reached the #1 spot on the Number One Music Soul Charts in 2007. Ain't No Harm In Singin' The Blues (2005) was a tribute compilation dedicated to blues pioneers and legends following the likes of Robert Johnson, Little Brother Montgomery and Willie Dixon, among others. Through The Fire, presented a 2006 compilation of romantic soul/blues featuring a duet entitled "Never Gonna Give You Up", which reached the #2 spot the same year. Beale Street Blues Here I Come also held the #1 spot on Indie Music Blues Charts for four consecutive weeks, reappearing a second time for a streak of six weeks. The album also highlights the likes of Tyrone Davis and Jimmy Reed. ReBirth of the Blues, released in January 2007, compiles an original sound reminiscent of the postwar days of blues, bop, jazz and swing. "Raw", the title of Osgood & Blaque’s 2008 CD release; however, is indicative of a relatively new trend that is breaking ground.

Greg Osgood, of the group, says: "The production of "Raw" is only possible because, financially, many big band blues artist have felt the enormous pressure of hard times trying to keep work and be able to offer something to the public while bracing themselves to meet the needs of these times. We decided to produce an album that is completely "us",...totally “raw“...no special studio effects, no hype. What you hear is what you get! People love our live performances and the challenge was to get that same live sound onto the recording without having to do any additional editing. I believe we've achieved that goal". Some folks say Blaque's harmonica does not sound like a harmonica. Actually, Blaque's harmonica style has been compared to that of Louisiana born, Little Walter, who achieved a horn-like sound on his harmonica, that “expressed his highly imaginative improvisations reminiscent of the bop jazz saxophonists of his day“.-Bill Dahl, All Music Guide When Blaque joined Osgood in 2003, her words were an emphatic: "I don't want to sound like every other harmonica player on the block". "Well, its been a long time since Little Walter has been on our block!", Osgood says.

Master keyboardist and vocalist Greg Osgood has entertained audiences from around the world since 1982. He has experienced the musical cultures of Asia and Korea. He has performed extensively throughout the American states of Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Tennessee. Though they are not a novice to the big wide world of music, Osgood & Blaque have found much contentment performing in and around Jackson, Mississippi's Malaco Records. Osgood’s keyboard and vocal style is melodiously soothing, even in an acoustic setting, creating a panarama of multi-layered synthesis seldom seen throughout the entire world. Cee Blaque's vocal delivery and careful harmonic phrases are a deep personification of her heartfelt yearnings while growing up in and around the Mississippi Delta and Catfish Row. Osgood & Blaque have maintained their momentum as the “dynamic duo of the south”, performing over 700 shows since their incorporation in 2003. They performed for governors, mayors, businessmen, organizations and foreign delegates and representatives. Ernest McBride, of the Jackson Advocate newspaper states: "Osgood & Blaque is one of the most widely-acclaimed new musical acts to come along in years“. They are just two musicians who can “tango” all the way!

* Download Osgood & Blaque's CD: RAW on your computer.

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