For Immediate Release February 20, 2006 CHARLIE MUSSELWHITE TO RELEASE NEW CD ON PETER GABRIEL’S REAL WORLD RECORDS THE GREAT BLUESMAN RETURNS TO HIS MISSISSIPPI HILL COUNTRY BY-WAY-OF-SOUTHSIDE CHICAGO ROOTS SPRING TOUR PLANNED Charlie Musselwhite -- whose career spans 40 years and 34 albums -- is back with a new album, 'Delta Hardware,' set for release on May 16 on Real World Records. The new record reflects and expands on Charlie’s tougher edge, first evident on his breakthrough 1967 release, ‘Stand Back.’ In his early days, he befriended and jammed with Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Little Walter, just as today he plays with the likes of Ben Harper and Tom Waits. Musselwhite incorporates all his musical and life experiences into 'Delta Hardware,' a new and powerful batch of hard-rocking blues. Charlie gives voice to the concerns of the common man, taking on social issues and the challenges of everyday life as well as the good times. By recording with his solid touring band of guitarist Kid Andersen, bassist Randy Bermudes and drummer June Core, Charlie has found a chemistry that makes for a modern album that rocks and rolls from its very first note. Like many other legendary musicians of his time, Charlie was born in the Mississippi Delta, put down his musical roots in Memphis, and then migrated to Chicago. His recordings, which have earned him a total of 18 Handy Blues Awards and 6 Grammy Award nominations, have become classics, and his live shows continue to amaze fans around the world. And like the great bluesmen before him, Musselwhite has added his own signature to the music. Over the course of his career, he’s introduced jazz chord stylings, Cuban rhythms, and contemporary singer-songwriter lyrics into his vision of the blues. Charlie's most recent release, 'Sanctuary,' featured guests Ben Harper and the Blind Boys of Alabama. It garnered rave reviews and was Grammy-nominated. His ‘Continental Drifter’ album, which had a strong Cuban-Brazilian feel and featured his friend Eliades Ochoa, was also one of those nominated for a Grammy. Musselwhite has made guest appearances on recordings by Ben Harper, Bonnie Raitt, John Hammond, John Lee Hooker, INXS, Tom Waits, The Blind Boys of Alabama and many others. Following up an acclaimed show in Paris with Ben Harper, Charlie spent time touring and recording with Ben in the last year. Consequently, Musselwhite appears on two songs (one studio track and one live track) on the limited edition bonus disc which accompanies Harper's new album. Musselwhite will hit the road in April with a national tour in support of ‘Delta Hardware.” The tour will include stops in major markets including New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, Detroit, Cleveland, Boston and more.