Sweet Betty & The Jimmy Morello Blues-Band
feat. Kirk "Eli" Fletcher
A powerful vocalist and super-quick drummer, Jimmy Morello began playing drums at age 11 and formed his first band at 13. His vocal style has been influenced by great blues shouters like Roy Brown, Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Rushing.
His mother's record collection had an impact on him in his early years, vocal groups like the Platters, the Drifters, the Coasters, and others.
He fell in love with blues music after attending a revue concert in 1971 with Ray Charles, T-Bone Walker and Jimmy Reed. Shortly after this, he befriended a Pittsburgh DJ who introduced him to Louisiana Red.
Red took a shine to Morello's band, Cold Steel, and the two began working together regularly in Pittsburgh blues venues. After becoming a tight working unit, they hit the road, playing Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and other cities around the Northeast.