Rick Estrin and the Nightcats

In four words or less, describe Rick Estrin and the Nightcats’ latest album And The Hits Keep Coming.

Album. Of. The. Year.

Blues Blast Magazine, in addition to bestowing album of the year honors, named them Band of the Year. And there’s more: The album finished number one in Living Blues Magazine’s radio charts. It was numero uno on the Big Blues Chart. And, for a couple of weeks, it was the top-played album on Sirius XM radio’s Bluesville channel.

And for 2025? The Blues Music Awards nominees are, as of this post:

Band of the Year—Rick Estrin and the Nightcats BB King Entertainer of the Year—Rick Estrin Contemporary Blues Album—The Hits Keep Coming Instrumentalist Guitar--Kid Andersen Instrumentalist Drums--D'mar Martin

Instrumentalist Harmonica--Rick Estrin Rick and the Cats broke through, again, by way of an understatement. The 2025 tour showcases Rick’s always memorable storytelling and harp playing; Kid Andersen guitar licks that could stop a bride on her way to her wedding; Lorenzo Farrell keyboard wizardry; and the jump-stomp antics of the one and only D’Mar on the skins. It’s a band that can’t be stopped, turned off, stunted, silenced or relegated to a fan’s “already saw them” status. The new tunes resound with a ton of feeling, tight melodies and the irreverent poetics of the one and only Rick Estrin.

Do not miss this year’s edition of Rick Estrin and the Nightcats. It’ll be a night of great blues, already-classic new songs and dancing in the aisles.

Coda: “This band is the best in the land—superior songwriting infused with wit, humor and streetwise insights, traditional and adventurous grooves, impeccable musicianship, creative arrangements, harmonica tutorials and savvy production…funky and original…always fresh and vital.” Blues Music Magazine