Booking Blues, Soul, Bluegrass, Country, Americana & Roots

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Illinois-based Brandon Santini radiates raw  emotion and infectious energy to audiences worldwide. Born in the  Piedmont region of North Carolina and raised on historic Beale Street in  Memphis, Tennessee; Santini's profound connection to the blues &  American roots music fuels his high-energy blend of traditional blues  with a contemporary twist, earning him critical acclaim and awards along  the way.   He has performed at festivals and venues throughout North  America, South America, U.K., Europe, India, and Egypt.  Santini's near  twenty years of touring and combined passion for the genre shine through  in every note, establishing him as a true torchbearer of the blues  tradition in the 21st century. His soulful vocals and fire igniting  harmonica style carry the torch of the blues into a new era, inspiring  generations with his incredible talent, undeniable passion, and  unwavering commitment to the music that he loves.  It's this passion  that has afforded Santini the opportunity to perform on stage with the  likes of Buddy Guy, Gary Clark, Jr., Beth Hart, Charlie Musselwhite,  country music stars Randy Houser & Parmalee, as well as recording  with 60's rock & roll legend Sam The Sham, in 2010.  

7 Time Blues Music Award Nominee

3 Time Billboard Charting Artist

 Blues Blast Music Award Winner

Endorsed by Hohner Harmonicas

Brand Ambassador for Three Chord Bourbon

Heard on, "Fire Country" (CBS) & "Poker Face" (Peacock Network)

King  Bee & The Stingers is a six-piece blues, soul and funk band from  Bloomington, Indiana. Several KBS singles have been distributed by Sony  Orchard and are being played on hundreds of radio stations across the  world, including singles from KBS’s second album, “Don’t Move So Fast”,  which was completed in early 2023. In 2024, the band released "Live From The Slippery Noodle" and has been getting esteemed reviews and airplay all over the world.
 

King Bee & The Stingers formed in 2006 under the leadership of  harmonica player and vocalist Mark "King Bee" Menefee. The band  attracted a strong following across Indiana and the Midwest, playing  classic, gritty roadhouse blues. In 2015, Mark's daughter Sarah Menefee  took over as lead vocalist and has been a rising star ever since. King  Bee & The Stingers are 2018, 2019, and 2023 semifinalists in The  Blues Foundation’s International Blues Challenge in Memphis, TN.
 

After playing with the band as a fill-in drummer, Paul Karaffa joined  full-time in 2019. In late 2019, bassist Jeff Shew joined the group. He  had already worked with band, having written "You're All I Need," the  opening track on the band's debut album, "Meet Me In Memphis." The band  started writing more original music as it also added more soul, funk and  pop to an extensive blues catalog. In 2020, Mark Menefee became the  band manager, ceding harmonica duties to veteran harp player Mark  Carnes. Keyboardist Wes Schrimsher joined in 2021, and guitarist Matt  Boat joined in 2022.

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Inspired by the country and rock music of the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s, Cody Ikerd started performing as many shows as he could while holding down day jobs. He kept writing, learning, and we ended up releasing two EP’s in  2017 (Honest Man) and 2019 (You Can Find Me In A Honkytonk). The band released their first album in May of 2023 with the help of some  friends. This is a premier old school country band and packs honky tonks all over the states. 

A  lifelong passion has taken Cody from a flatbed trailer at his middle school in 7th grade to performing on the same stages with The Kentucky  Headhunters, Jo Dee Messina, Ward Davis, Sarah Evans, The Steel Woods,  Mo Pitney, Larry Gatlin, Drake White, and many more. 

John  Bowyer & Jayme Hood refine their musical artistry in the fabled  hills of southern Indiana. They have honed their skills and craft in the  honest old-school tradition of putting in time and collaborating with  some of the most significant performers in their scene.

Their  hard work has been paying off. With hundreds of live performances in  the last 10 years, these road seasoned troubadours are swiftly traveling  beyond their deep Bluegrass/Folk/Americana roots, both musically and  geographically.

Catch a show. You’ll be glad you did.

The Hammer & The Hatchet

Tom Harold brings decades of experience as a harmonica player, singer and now, bandleader. Joined by Tadas Paegle on guitar, Danny Deckard on drums and Neal Heidler on bass, the band is easily one of the most impressive lineups in the blues world. 

The Dynamics is an 8 piece funk, soul and party band that  started nearly 40 years ago, when James “JB” Black and Vaughn Mitchell found they both had a  passion for music.  The band originally started out as a blues band that found success. In  1990, the band won the national W.C. Handy Blues contest in Memphis,  Tennessee.  The band also received the B.B. King Lucille award as “Best New Talent” for a performance at the National Blues Award Concert.  The sound eventually evolved to include more R&B and funk, and the  band released three albums, “Make That Change” in 1996, “Doin’  It...LIVE!!!” in 2000 and “You Ain’t Got To Go Home” in 2001. Now, they are famous for being the best party band in the Midwest. 

Jeff Shew  was inundated with blues music at an early age while growing up in and  around Chicago. He was fortunate to be mentored by the legendary Pinetop  Perkins, and got to play with Pinetop for several years while living in  Laporte, Indiana. He moved to Bloomington, Indiana in 2003 to study  music and ethnomusicology at Indiana University. A jack of all trades,  he sings, plays bass, saxophone and guitar, and on top of that is a  seasoned songwriter, arranger and producer. His many accolades include participating in the  International Blues Challenge in 2015, 2016, 2020 and 2023. Jeff runs The Whirlwind Agency, and is the leader of the  Bloomington Blues Group and runs the Bloomington, Indiana Blues Jam. The Late-Night Crew plays spooky songs about drinking, depression and the American dream. 

Steve Houk is a long-time multi-instrumentalist, originally from Arkansas. He's been a studio musician, a touring guitarist with many bands and has performed all over the country for decades. The Steve Houk band plays Blues, Americana, Folk and Country. Since transplanting to Indiana a few years ago , Steve has firmly rooted himself as one of the best guitarists in the area. He is an excellent songwriter as well. He is also just a very nice person. Have a conversation with him next time you catch him live, and see what all of the fuss is about.

Black Cat & the Bones  is a long-running five-piece blues band hailing from the state of Indiana, with Dennis McClure on vocals, percussion and harmonica, Tadas Paegle on guitar and vocals, John Gray on drums and vocals, Matt Brookshire on bass and John Abel on guitar. One of the premiere blues acts in the midwest, this band is one to keep an eye on. The quality of players and their talent is unrivaled.  Rooted deeply in authentic Chicago blues, this group keeps  traditional aspects front and center, all while bridging the gap between  old and new. It would be hard to find a band with more experience and  talent than this one. In recent years, BCATB has been performing at  music festivals, theaters and premiere music venues across the Midwest.  In 2023, the band signed on with The Whirlwind Agency, and is actively  working and booking. 

From Kokomo, Indiana, Mike began playing guitar in 1977 at age 6. Mike  grew up hearing his father's soul-rock bands. As a boy, he traveled with  them and the Drifters in the mid 1970's throughout the southern United  States. He received his first guitar at age 5. He purchased his first  electric guitar at age 10 with paper route money. His vocals and guitar  have been called "gritty and soulful" and have been compare to many. He  formed Steam Shovel in the Summer of 1993 and named the band after his  favorite children's book by Viginia Lee Burton, "Mike Mulligan and his  Steam Shovel".
Mike  cites his father, "Big" Mike, Robert Cray, Tad Robinson, Howling Wolf,  Stevie Ray Vaughan, Doyle Bramhall (1 and 2), Stevie Wonder, Al Green,  Donny Hathaway Jimi Hendrix, Albert King and Collins as his mentors.  

Ben Brandt (formerly of Soul Miner's Union) seems to have been born  with a guitar as his constant companion, owing to his lineage as the  offspring of a professional musician. There’s never been a time in his  memory when the guitar didn’t play a significant role in his life. Even  as a infant, he displayed a fascination with the instrument, and by the  age of three, he was already picking out riffs on his father’s guitars.  In 1999, at the young age of 10, Ben initiated his own band, the Ben  “Jamin” Brandt Project. His musical talents caught the attention of a  local radio station in NJ, WDHA, leading to promotions and performances  at festivals alongside notable artists such as Savoy Brown and Billy  Hector.

Throughout the years, Ben’s musical influences have  encompassed a diverse range of Blues, Prog, and Rock, drawing  inspiration from artists like Chris Cain, Gary Moore, Eric Johnson, Andy  Timmons, Robin Trower, Steve Vai, and Alex Lifeson. This eclectic mix  provides Ben with a wide palette to refine his craft, with a focus on  dynamics and phrasing. His playing style emphasizes meaning and purpose  in every note, and his sought-after impeccable tone resonates with  guitarists of all ages.

Ben  refuses to be confined to a specific  genre. Continuously pushing boundaries and eager to learn, he's   accumulated over two decades of live performance experience sharing the  stage along side notable names such as Shemekia Copeland, Albert  Cummings, Los Lonely Boys, Gary Hoey, Eric Steckel, The Record Company,  King Solomon Hicks, Billy Price, Coco Montoya, Jared James Nichols, Davy  Knowles, Blackberry Smoke and many more!

Corey Flick is a journeyman, masterful harmonica player. After a successful ten year run in Colorado, Corey is now back in Indiana, based out of Brown County. He works with Cody Ikerd, Kenan Rainwater and Rusted String Swindlers. If you need a fill-in harmonica player or a studio session musician, Corey is your man. 

Piney Woods brings decades of experience to the best R&B, Soul, Blues and Country powerhouse horn-driven (Strip Mall Wonder) band that you'll ever hear and see. As if the bombastic stage show wasn't enough, now the band has taken its talents to the recording studio, creating Piney's lifelong masterpiece. Expect a fun stage show, backed by certain special songs that'll bring a tear to your eye. 

Gravy Bird is a Rock and Roll band from Bloomington Indiana. Steeped in the old time tradition of garage practices and big guitars, they are ready to believe you.  Led by guitarist and songwriter Joe McCadden, the band wows crowds with their original songs and tight arrangements. 

Rusty’s show is a high-energy, freewheeling tour-de-force of homegrown  rock and roll. A veteran of the Indiana music scene, Bladen has played  many of the clubs, theaters, bars, and festivals in the Midwest on his  way to building his fanbase. Nine albums and 5,000 shows in his back  pocket make him truly one of the road warriors of Indiana’s music  fraternity. Rusty’s original music, his every-night-a-great-time live  show, and the pile of encyclopedic rock and roll and country history  that he can play have made him an artist who can be counted on to turn a  performance into a party. For the past 30 years, Bladen has been writing music and  building his audience, stacking show after show of heartland rock and  roll to gain the reputation as one of the midwest’s most engaging live  performers.  

Big Dog is Bloomington Indiana's newest SUPERGROUP -- Blues, Soul and Funk party band. Many members of the legendary band Mojo Hand make of Big Dog, including Lauren Robert on vocals, Jamey Reid on Drums, TJ Jones on Bass, Doc Malone on harp, Wes Schrimsher on keys and Brian Gill on keys. They aim to get you up and keep you dancing, all while leaving you astonished at what you just heard. 

Applegate & Rock met on a stage  at a blues festival in 2008.  The chemistry was instantaneous and they’ve been playing, writing and arranging together ever since.  Their groove filled shows are tight, punchy and up-tempo with precise vocal harmonies and lots of originals.

Gary provides vocals, guitar and foot percussion while Joe plays harmonica and sings. Everything you see here is played in one pass with no looping, backing tracks or overdubs.

The Bluetick Healers are one of the only acts on the roster that are primarily playing party cover tunes. Don't get me wrong, they occasionally play some obscure tunes, but if you're looking for a party act, trio or 4 piece band, this is your group. Top rated musicians having a good time and playing pop songs. 

Tim O'Malley has been a staple of the Bloomington, Indiana music scene since the 70s. A gifted songwriter, vocalist and guitarist, Tim has played in many bands over the years, and held down a blues spot at Bear's Place and other locations for years.  The current lineup playing with him features Doc Malone and company.

J. D. Whitcomb (John Doud) is a singer/songwriter born in Seymour Indiana. Influenced greatly by four older musical sisters who introduced John to a wide variety of music styles ranging from Blues to Rock and everything in between. Throw in hanging out at John Mellencamp’s lead guitarist, Larry Cranes music store, Cranes Music, the Seymour native couldn't help but get the Rock and Blues Bug!

A move back to Indiana found him working in the pit orchestra of the American Cabaret Theatre in Indianapolis. Reading Broadway shows for 9 years, John eventually landed a coveted position with Jayne Bond and The Pink Martinis, Indiana’s premier show band. John now fronts J.D. Whitcomb and The Delta Drifters playing classic Blues and Rock covers as well as their own original 'South of the Mason Dixon Line' original tunes. Kevin Burkett Plays drums for the 'Drifters'. Chris Spencer is a Bloomington native whose punchy piano stylings can also be heard with the All Access Band. David Robinson holds down the bottom end for the Drifters.

The formidable duo of Mark Carnes and Jeff Shew create dark-themed Blues, Americana and Old-Timey songs. Their debut album was recorded and produced by Dane Clark. Carnes and Shew won the Kentuckiana Blues Society challenge in 2020, and competed at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis. 

Southern Indiana Blues Fest at Bill Monroe's Campground in Bean Blossom, Indiana is one of the best in the world, featuring national touring bands, as well having a second stage for local and regional acts. The Whirlwind has worked on booking the Hippie Hill stage and blues jam for this event, as well as being the emcee and band/stage coordinator. 

Founder of The Whirlwind Agency, Jeff Shew, became the event coordinator for Madison Ribberfest in 2025. This festival has been running for decades and has brought some of the best blues, BBQ and roots music to the Midwest. Look for it the third weekend in August each year right on the mighty Ohio River in Madison, Indiana. 

McCormick's  Creek State Park Arts, Blues and BBQ Festival has been a staple of Owen County for decades. The event usually takes place the Saturday after Labor Day, and features local, regional and national bands, as well as artists and the best BBQ in the world. 

Run entirely by The Whirlwind Agency, the Bloomington Blues Fest is one of a 3 part concert series at Upland Brewing Co in Bloomington, IN and features the best local, regional and national talent in blues music.

Run entirely by The Whirlwind Agency, the Bloomington Bluegrass Fest is one of a 3 part concert series at Upland Brewing Co in Bloomington, IN and features the best local, regional and national talent in bluegrass, Americana and roots music.

Run entirely by The Whirlwind Agency, the Bloomington Summer Soul Fest is one of a 3 part concert series at Upland Brewing Co in Bloomington, IN and features the best local, regional and national talent in soul and funk music.

Amplify Nashville brings future stars to the big stage of Brown County Music Center in Nashville, IN. This community-lead, benefit event raises funds for the local food pantry, and for the Brown County Music Association , which gives  music-related scholarships to local youth.  

Will Scott is a very gifted musician, booking agent, stage manager, live audio engineer and basically has extensive knowledge in almost every part of the music industry. He's someone you turn to. With decades of experience, his company Brown County Music Services has worked with The Whirlwind Agency in several ways throughout the years.   

The Bloomington Blues Group and Bloomington, Indiana Blues Jam were reformed following the closing of the Players Pub. Every Tuesday and select weekends, the jam can found at The Porthole Inn and Blockhouse Bar.

This nonprofit organization invites you to become an integral part of our  vibrant community dedicated to helping musicians, especially the youth, in Brown County Indiana. The Whirlwind Agency produces concerts with the BCMA at Brown County Music Center. Hoomac produces the music business conference FARMette. 

 Since  1988, The Kentuckiana Blues Society has dedicated to the preservation,  promotion and perpetuation of the blues tradition in all of its forms.  In additon, KBS honors the community with the Syslvester Weaver Award,  as well as providing the annual KBS Blues Challenge in which bands  compete for a chance to represent this area in Memphis in the  International Blues Challenge. The Whirlwind Agency had the pleasure of building KBS a new website and logo.

Mediaforce Management and The Whirlwind Agency work directly together with several different clients.  

At  Mediaforce Management, our primary focus is building the successful  careers of talented musicians and to help you navigate the ever changing  landscape of the music industry.  

-Artist Development

-Tour Planning

-Marketing & Branding

-Financial Budgeting

-Contracting & Venue Logistics

-Social Media Management

-Media Liaison

-Digital Resource Creation