Receiving the 2018 Blues Music Awards' "Blues Rock Artist of the Year" honor was Mike Zito's most recent accolade as he embarks on his "First Class Life" Fall-Winter 2018 Tour throughout the United States.
Residents and visitors to Jefferson City will get a chance to hear this blues icon's music during that tour when he stops by the MO Blues Christmas Banquet at 7 p.m. Sunday at The Bridge, 619 E. Capitol Ave.
According to a news release from Doug Deutsch Publicity Services about Zito's upcoming tour, his "First Class Life" tour showcases his latest album of the same name from Ruf Records. Additional year-end honors for Zito's album include reaching No. 1 on the National Roots Music Report Top 50 Blues Albums Chart and a Top 10 Rockin' Blues Tunes of 2018 nod from "Rock and Blues Muse" for his song "Mama Don't Like No Wah-Wah," writing the track is "blues and funky fun with some outstanding guitar playing," the news release said.
"First Class Life" released May 11 is Zito's 15th album and its title track explores his journey from addiction to sobriety, capped off with Zito's musical recognition and becoming a two-time 2017 Blues Music Award nominee.
The album is filled with a variety of blues rock originals including the punchy "Time for a Change," "The World We Live In" and the electrified bounce of "Dying Day," where Zico swears lifelong allegiance to his wife.
That music prowess has seen success recently in his solo career and part of the Royal Southern Brotherhood. He also teamed up with well known guitarist Bernard Allison on the Blues Caravan Tour that performed in Germany, England, Poland, the Netherlands and Belgium, the news release said.
Outside of a mid-tour stop in Jefferson City, Zito's current itinerary also takes him from Kansas and Nebraska to Illinois and Texas.
The public is welcome to attend the MO Blues Christmas Banquet featuring Zito. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and an optional meal will be served at 6 p.m., which includes pork tenderloin with apply gravy, green beans, mashed potatoes, salad and multiple dessert options. The music begins at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for the dinner only and $15 per person for the concert. Table reservations are also available for $15. Tickets can be purchased at The Bridge's Facebook page, The Mission's Facebook page or The Mission's website.
For more information, visit MO Blues association's Facebook page.